PRONUNCIATION GUIDE


Here are some tips for proper pronunciation in Spanish.

a is pronounces "ah" as in art
e is pronounced "eh" as in desk
i is pronounced "ee" as in meet
o is pronounced "oh" as in obey
u is pronounced "oo" as in too

b is pronounced usually hard, but has the soft sound (like a v)when it is found between vowels.

c is pronounced hard when it is before the vowels a, o and u (like a k), but is pronounced sofly when it is before the vowels i or e (like an s).

cc is pronounced hard, as in accent (like a k).

g is pronounced hard, as in gone, when it is before the vowels a, o, and u, but it is pronounced like an h, as in hot, when it is before the vowels i or e (try and figure that one out).

h is never pronounced at all. It is always silent.

j is always pronounced like an h, as in hot.

ll is pronounced like a y, as in yet.

r is pronounced trilled (make a revving engine sound in your mind as you try to say it).

rr is pronounced VERY trilled (like a cat purring).

y is pronounced "ee" as in toy. By itself, it is the word for "and".

gue is pronounced "geh" as in guest.

gui is pronounced "gee" as in geese.

que is pronounced "keh" as in kettle.

qui is pronounced "kee" as in key.

n with the ~ over it is pronounced "nyuh" as in canyon.

au is pronounced "ow" as in now.

en is pronounced "ain" as in train.

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