El Rincón Español - homeschool Spanish support

Mar. 7, 2008 - Stress!!!

So which syllable do you put the accent on when sounding out a Spanish word that is new to you? A fellow Spanish geek (and I mean that in the best possible way) and I discussed just that this week. Ok, so.... do you want the long and complicated list of rules with every subtle nuance and crazy exception, or do you want the quick and easy to remember version? Yea, I thought so. First, gaze upon this cute lizard. You'll see why in a moment.

Rule 1: If a word has a written accent, that is the syllable you stress. Por ejemplo:

día - DÍ-a
Córdoba - CÓR-do-ba
común - co-MÚN
inglés - ing-LÉS

Rule 2: When there is no written accent, most words have their stress on the second-to-last syllable. Por ejemplo:

joven - JO-ven
mesa - ME-sa
semejante - se-me-JAN-te
enero - en-ER-o

Rule 3: "The Lizard Law" Remember the word "lizard", and keep an image of that cute little guy above in your mind. Words that end in l, z, r, and d have the stress on the last syllable (when there is not a written accent mark indicating otherwise). Por ejemplo:

ciudad - ci-u-DAD
comer - com-ER
hotel - ho-TEL
actriz - ac-TRIZ

• Post A Comment!

Comments

Mar. 10, 2008 - Just wanted to say thanks

Posted by HarmonyArtMom

I have just recently found your blog and I really love it. I am currently teaching my 12 and 14 year olds Spanish, even though I don't speak it myself. It is crazy what homeschoolers will try to do.....we are being successful but I think your ideas are so practical and fun that we are going to incorporate them into our week.

Thanks for taking the time to share.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

• Permanent Link

Mar. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by KathleenM

Por casualidad (by coincidence), I recently found your blog as well! I'm very impressed! Thank you for your nice comments! Don't hesitate to contact me with questions - they often turn into blog entries.

• Permanent Link

Entry 20 of 86
Last Page | Next Page