• Apr. 12, 2008
Un-Tie Your Tongue: Spanish Pronunciation Made Easy

People get tongue tied when they are learning a new language. They might even wear out their tongues because of the new muscles  they are using.

We can help you un-tie your tongue so you can have better Spanish pronunciation.  Please keep in mind that pronunciations can be different from country to country as well as from city to city.  Most of the pronunciations you will see Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish working with are what we call border Spanish.

Here's an easy pronunciation guide:

A as in the word STAR

E as in the word TEST
If there is more than one E in a word the first one sounds like test the second
one sounds like hey.

I as in the word MACHINE

O as in the word OBEY

U as in the word SPOOL

B as in the word BEST
But a letter B between vowels is pronounced very softly.

C as in the word CAKE Before A, O, U is pronounced K.
C Before E, I is pronounced S.

CC as in the word ACCENT is pronounced X.

CH as in the word CHIN

D as in the word DOT
However, when the D is the last letter of a word or when it appears between vowels it is pronounced as a soft TH.

G as in the word GO Before A, O, U.
G as in the word HAT Before E, I.

H is always silent.

J as in the word HAT

L as in the word LIGHT

LL as in the word YEAR

N as in the word CANYON is pronounced NY.

R trilled like you're playing with a toy car and making the noise for it.
RR strongly trilled.

T as in the word ATTEND

Y as in the word YEAR
But when the Y stands alone it is pronounced EE as in NEED.

Z as in the word SO

SPECIAL GROUPS
GUE as in the word GUESS
GUI as in the word GEESE
QUE as in the word KETTLE
QUI as in the word KEEL

These pronunciations will get you on the right track for speaking like a native.

To keep these lessons going, visit Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish before the classes fill up.

Hasta luego (See you later),
Michelle

(Post A Comment!)

Comments