Some consonants in English have similar pronunciations in Spanish. Here we will learn about all the exceptions that do not.
B and V: The letters B and V are pronounced the same in Spanish. The sound lies somewhere in between the two sounds in English. Its neither B nor V, but softer. As you practice the following words, an excellent way to make this sound is to keep the top, middle region of your lips slightly open to pronounce a sound between (Buh) and (Vuh). The only exception is when B follows the letter M or N. In this case, we use a hard B sound like in English.
Vaca Bebida Vegetal (Bah-cah) (Beh-bee-dah) (Veh-heh-tahl)
C: Is pronounced like English “S” unless it is the first letter of a word, or comes before an “A, O or U.” In this case, it is pronounced like the letter “K.”
Servicio Vicio Crema (Sehr-vee-see-oh) (Vee-see-oh) (Kreh-mah)
D: D as the first letter of a word is similar to an English D (hard D). If D is at the end of a word or in-between vowels, it makes a soft D sound different than English. The pronunciation sounds like a soft “th” sound.
Dama Cansado Cada
(Dah-mah) (Kahn-sah-thoh) (Kah-thah)
G: Is pronounced like English “H” unless followed by “A, O, U or R.” In this case, it is pronounced similarly to G in English (hard G). Gerardo Grande Gallo (Heh-rahr-doh) (Grahn-deh) (Gah-yoh) H: Is never pronounced and is completely silent. Almohada Zanahoria Hogar (Ahl-mo-ah-dah) (Zahn-ah-oh-ree-ah) (Oh-gahr) J: Most often pronounced like English “H.” Jarabe Justo Juego (Ha-rah-beh) (Hoo-stoh) (Hoo-eh-goh) Ñ: (Pronounced enye) One of the letters that makes the Spanish alphabet unique. This letter makes a “Ny” sound, similar to that made in the word canyon. Pronunciation | 13 Niña Mañana Pequeño (Neen-yah) (Mahn-yahn-ah) (Peh-kehn-yoh) Q: Pronounced like English “K.” Qué Queso Quedar (Keh) (Keh-soh) (Keh-dahr)
14 | Pronunciation R and RR: Ah, the famous rolled “R.” The letter that all beginner students fear... I’m here to tell you do not fear! Its pronunciation is easier than you think. Any word that begins with “R” or has a double “RR” within it will be rolled or trilled. This means that you trill or vibrate the sound as you pronounce it. The easiest way to do this is by letting your tongue touch the roof of your mouth (similar to when you pronounce the letters “dd” in the word ladder), and as you pronounce the sound vibrate your tongue. Get creative with this one! Pretend you are firing a machine gun and every trilled “R” is a bullet. At first it might seem difficult and yes, odd, but practice for a few weeks and you will be rolling your R’s in no time! Carro Regresar Recompensa (Cah-rro) (Rreh-greh-sahr) (Rreh-cohm-pehn-sah) Learning and utilizing the correct pronunciation of the trilled R in Spanish is very important. However, many beginners tend to over-do their RR sounds and end up sounding like purring kittens. Be sure to not overdo your rolled RR sound by holding it for no more than a second long. They should be quick and not slurred. Practice makes perfect! X: Can be pronounced a few different ways. The most common comparison is English H, X or S. México Extremo Xilófono (Meh-hee-coh) (Ex-treh-moh) (See-loh-foh-noh)
Z: Pronounced like the English “S” Zapato Juzgar Zanahoria (Sah-pa-toh) (Hoos-gahr) (Sah-nah-oh-ree-ah)
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