Spanish with Tati
  • Home
  • Verbs
  • Vocabulary
  • Conversations
  • Downloadables
  • Contact me

Select Page

Spanish Pronunciation Rules: A Pronunciation Guide

Spanish pronunciation rules are precise and consistent, and today we will learn about them!

  • Spanish Pronunciation Rules
    • Spanish Vowels
    • Spanish Consonants
    • Rules for the Sound [g]
    • Rules for the Sound [x]
      • Practice the Sounds [g] and [x]
    • Rules for the Sound [k]
    • Rules for the Sound [s]
      • Practice the Sounds [k] and [s]
    • Rules for the Sound [b]
    • Rules for the Sounds [r] and [rr]
    • Rules for the Sound [j]
  • Spanish Stress Rules

Spanish Pronunciation Rules

spanish pronunciation rules
DOWNLOAD PDF

Spanish Vowels

The Spanish language has 5 vowels: a, e, i, o, u. Listen to the pronunciation of each vowel and practice.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/a-e-i-o-u.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

The sounds of the Spanish vowels are clear, short, and constant. They are pronounced the same way wherever they appear.

Spanish Consonants

The Spanish language has 22 consonants. Listen to the pronunciation of the following consonants and practice.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/daniel.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

• d – Daniel (like the “th” in “they”)

• f –  Fernando (like the “f” in “fit”)

• h – Honduras (it is always silent)

• l –  Laura (like the “l” in “lie” but without curving the tongue)

• m – Mario (like the “m” in “mom”)

• n –  Naty (like the “n” in “nice”)

• ñ –  España (like the “ny” in “canyon”)

• p –  Perú (like the “p” in “pig”)

• t – Tati (like the “t” in “Tim”, but don’t make it so plosive)

• w –  Walter (like the “w” in “Walter”)

• x –  Alexa (like the “ks” in “desks”)

In general, every letter of the Spanish language has a sound, and every sound has a letter, but there are some exceptions. Let’s learn about them!

Rules for the Sound [g]

The sound [g] is written with the letter “g” before the vowels a, o, and u.

Before the vowels e and i, this sound is written with a silent u after the letter g. The vowel u is silent in the word “guitarra“.

Pronounce the u in this combination only when you see two little dots (umlaut) on top of it. For example, pronounce the u in “pingüino.”

Listen to the pronunciation of the following letters and practice.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ga.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

• ga

• gue

• gui

• go

• gu

• güe

• güi

Rules for the Sound [x]

The sound [x] which is pronounced like the “h” in “ham” is written with the letter “j” in Spanish. Listen.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ja.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

• ja

• je

• ji

• jo

• ju

The letter “g” is also pronounced like the “h” in “ham” when it appears before the vowels e and i. 

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ge-gi.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

• ge

• gi

Practice the Sounds [g] and [x]

Read the following words out loud. Then, listen to the audio and check your answers.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/gato.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

• gato

• guerra

• guitarra

• goma

• gusano

• bilingüe

• pingüino

How did it go? Did you pronounce the words well? Let’s practice some more! 

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/jamon.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

• jamón

• gimnasio

• genética

• jota

• gigante

• jueves

Did you pronounce the above words well? Fantastic! We are still missing some more pronunciation rules. Let’s learn about them!

Rules for the Sound [k]

Before the vowels a, o and u, and at the end of a syllable, this sound is written with the letter “c“.

The digraph “qu” can only be followed by the vowels e and i, and it corresponds to the sound [k] as well.

The letter “k” also corresponds to the sound [k], but this letter is rarely used in Spanish.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ka.mp3
DOWNLOAD MP3

• ca

• que

• qui

• co

• cu

Rules for the Sound [s]

The letter “c” is pronounced as [s] when it is accompanied by the vowels e and i.

The letters “z” and “s” also correspond to the sound [s]. Listen.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sa.mp3

• za

• ce

• ci

• zo

• zu



In some areas of Spain, people pronounce za, ce, ci, zo, zu like the “th“ in “think.”

And, of course, the letter “s” also sounds as [s]. 

• sa

• se

• si

• so

• su

Practice the Sounds [k] and [s]

Read the following words out loud. Then, listen to the audio and check your answers.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/casa.mp3

• casa

• queso

• quilo

• coma

• cincuenta

• cebolla

• cima

• zona

How is it going so far? You are on your way to sound like a native Spanish speaker! Let’s learn a few more rules!

Rules for the Sound [b]

The letters “b” and “v” are pronounced like the “b” in “big”. When these letters appear between vowels, the sound [b] becomes softer.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/vaca.mp3

• vaca

• Victor

• boca

• beso

• Victoria

Rules for the Sounds [r] and [rr]

When the letter “r” appears at the beginning of a word or after n, s or l, it is pronounced with a strong [rr].

It is also pronounced with a strong [rr] when there is a double “r” in the middle of a word.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rueda.mp3

• rueda

• Enrique

• Israel

• alrededor

• arroz

If you only see one “r” in the middle or at the end of a word, pronounce “r” with a soft sound. 

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/amor.mp3

• amor

• caro

• raro

• tren

• coro

Rules for the Sound [j]

The letter “y” and the digraph “ll” are pronounced like the “y” in “you“.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/lluvia.mp3

• lluvia

• callo

• yeso

• yo

You are almost done! What’s missing? You need to learn where to put the strength of your voice within words. Let’s learn about it! 

Spanish Stress Rules

Where should you put the strength of your voice within words? All you need to know is 3 Spanish stress rules. They are simple. Here they are!

1. If a word ends in a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or the consonant n or s, put the strength of your voice on the next to last syllable. Listen.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/manana.mp3

• mañana

• volumen

• tomates

2. If a word ends in any consonant other than n or s, put the strength of your voice on the final syllable. Listen.

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/amistad.mp3

• amistad

• mujer

• vegetal

3. If a word has the Spanish accent mark or tilde, then put the strength of your voice in that syllable, ignoring the rules above. 

https://spanishwithtati.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/telefono.mp3

• teléfono

• difícil

• café

And that was it for today! Here’s a little chart that can help you remember Spanish stress rules!

spanish stress rules
DOWNLOAD PDF

Do you know when you use the Spanish accent mark? If not, check out the post called When to Use the Spanish Tilde or Accent Mark. 

Think this is neat? Share it with your friends!

Share:

PreviousIndirect Object Pronouns in Spanish: Me, Te, Le, Nos, Les
NextSpanish Adjective Agreement: A Complete Guide

Related Posts

Spanish Alphabet Pronunciation [+ Free Alphabet Chart]

Spanish Alphabet Pronunciation [+ Free Alphabet Chart]

June 20, 2020

The Numbers From 1 to 10 in Spanish [+ Audio]

The Numbers From 1 to 10 in Spanish [+ Audio]

November 15, 2021

Ser vs Estar: What’s the Difference?

Ser vs Estar: What’s the Difference?

November 12, 2021

How to Learn Spanish at Home (+ Resources and Tips)

How to Learn Spanish at Home (+ Resources and Tips)

August 18, 2021

Quick Links

Home

Sitemap

Spanish with Tati

About me

Contact me

Futher Information

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Please, check your mail to confirm subscription.

Subscribe

Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares
  • 3.6k
  • 1