Learn Spanish Pronunciation
In Spanish pronunciation, basically there are alphabets that consists of consonants and vovels/accents that you need to get them right.
Alphabet Pronunciation
Take note of the followings:
There are 30 Spanish alphabets. (English has 26 alphabets only) Can you point out which are the 4 extra alphabets? Yes, they are: “ch”, “ll” “rr” and “ñ”.
Also notice that the letters ‘b’ and ‘v’ sound the same. It is due to no difference between the sound of the two letters for most Spanish speakers.
Spanish alphabet “k” and “w” are used only in foreigh words, for example: karate, whisky.
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Spanish Alphabets Table (Click the small triangle button to hear the audio pronunciation)
| Alphabets | Pronunciation |
| a | ah |
| b | beh |
| c | say |
| ch | e-chay |
| d | day |
| e | ay |
| f | ef-ay |
| g | hay |
| h | ah-chay |
| i | ee |
| j | ho-tah |
| k | kah |
| l | el-ay |
| ll | ay-yay |
| m | em-ay |
| n | en-ay |
| ñ | en-yay |
| o | oh |
| p | peh |
| q | coo |
| r | air-ay |
| rr | airr-ay |
| s | es-ay |
| t | teh |
| u | oo |
| v | beh |
| w | do-bleh-beh |
| x | eh-keys |
| y | ee-gree-ay-gah |
| z | say-tah |
Spanish Consonants
How to pronounce Spanish consonants with some help of English words: (very helpful for English speakers)
| Consonants | Pronunciation |
| b | bad |
| ch | choose |
| d | done |
| f | fun |
| g | get |
| h | (silent) |
| j | hi (strong h sound) |
| k | king |
| l | land |
| ll | yes (sounds like “y” in “yes”) |
| m | money |
| n | no |
| ñ | union (sounds like “ni” in “union”) |
| p | pale |
| q | kick (sounds like “k” in “kick”, but without the puff of air) |
| r | refer to note1* |
| rr | refer to note1* |
| s | salt |
| t | tail (sounds like “t” in “tail”, but without the puff of air) |
| v | same with Spanish consonant “b” |
| y | yes |
| z | Spain Spanish: sounds like “th” in “think” Latin American Spanish: sounds like “s” in “say” |
Note1: The Spanish “r” has two separate pronunciations. If “r” appear in the first letter of spanish word, it is pronounce like consonant “rr”, otherwise the Spanish “r” sounds like “dd” in “ladder”. The Spanish “rr” has thrilling and vibrating sound, it is a challenging pronunciation for English tongues.
Spanish Vovels and Accents
Spanish Vovels: a e i o u
Spanish Accents: á é í ó ú
Notice that Accents are stressed with higher pitch when pronounced. Also when accents are used they completely changed the pronunciation and meaning of the word. Here is the example.