Pronunciation in Spanish: pronunciation keys

SPANISH PRONUNCIATION KEYS

The phoneme Z [θ]

The C [k] is pronounced in case of CA (casa), QUE (queso), QUI (quince), CO (comer), CU (cuatro)

The Z [θ] is pronounced in case of ZA (zapato), CE (centro), CI (ciento), ZO (zoo), ZU (zumo)

The phonemes C / S

It’s very common for our spanish students to replace the phonemes of CE and CI with “S“. To say, for example, “servesa” instead of “cerveza”. In reality, the “seseo” (to pronounce the s instead of z or c before i and e) is very popular in parts of Andalusia, in the Canary islands and in Latin America. 

It doesn’t matter if you say “s” instead of “C”, as the majority of the native spanish speakers pronounce it like that, but while writing remember to write the “c” and not the “s”.

 V and B are pronounced the same

Unlike in other languages the pronounciation of V and B in Spanish is the same. For example: Valencia / Barcelona.

The J and the G

The phoneme [X] “jamon” is different from the phoneme [g] “gato”.

GE and GI are pronounced as [X]. For example: “gente”, “girasol”

The phoneme [X]: JA (jamón), JE / GE (jefe / gente), JI / GI (jirafa / girasol), JO (joven), JU (jugar)

The phoneme [g]: GA (gato), GUE (juguete), GUI (guitarra), GO (gol), GU (guapo)

The H is not spelled

Sometimes you have to remember that in Spanish the letter “H” is not written. It’s important to remember which words do have the letter “H” and which do not. There are several rules you can learn but it would be best and more natural to learn these words one by one after reading them for the first time.

The r and the voiced r

The alveolar tap [ɾ]: “pero” (Conjunction)

The alveolar trill [r]: “perro” (animal)

The trill can occur:
– in case of two “rr”. Example: “perro”
– word-initially. Example: “Roma”
– after L, N and S. Example: “alrededor”

If you remember these pronounciation keys, it will be no problem at all to learn the language. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, they will help you to practice and learn.

Download here a scheme of the pronounciation in spanish:

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Are there any difficult words to pronounce for you?