• A -- always pronounced ah, as in father
    (Spanish example: gracias)
  • E -- always pronounced as a short e, as in best, ten, dress
    (Spanish example: inglés)
  • I --always pronounced ee, as in feet, wheel, bee
    (Spanish example si)
  • O --always pronounced as a short o, as in doctor.
    (Spanish example: doctor)
  • U --always pronounced oo, as in fool, pool.
    (Spanish example: uno)
  • B --Similar to the English 'b' but less plosive; between vowels it is pronounced very softly so that the lips touch only slightly.
    (Spanish example: bebida)
  • C --As in English, before a, o and u it is pronounced as a K, as in can
    Before e or i the c is pronounced as an s as in cent. In Spain the C before e and i is pronounced 'th'. (Spanish example: ciudad)
  • CC -- Pronounced very similar to the cc in accident
    (Spanish example: accidente)
  • D -- Similar to the English 'd' in 'bed' but with the tongue further forward; between vowels or as the last letter of a word it is pronounced very softly similar to the th in the
    (Spanish example: ciudad)
  • G -- Before A, O or U it is pronounced as the G in get
    -- Before E or I it is pronounced like the English H but more emphatic. (Spanish example: general)
  • H -- Always silent in Spanish. Hotel is pronounced otel
    (Spanish example: hotel)
  • J Always pronounced like the English H but more emphatic
    (Spanish example: jalapeño)
  • LL Always pronounced as the Y in yes.
    (Spanish example: ella)
  • ñ -- This Spanish character is pronounced NY as in canyon
    (Spanish example: español )
  • R -- Slightly trilled
    (Spanish example: hora)
    When it is the first letter of a word it is strongly trilled.
    (Spanish example: Costa Rica)
  • RR -- Always strongly trilled.
    (Spanish example: arroz)
  • V --In Spain and many parts of South America there is no difference between the 'v' and the 'b'
    (Spanish example: video)
  • Y -pronounced as the English Y except when it stands alone (y is Spanish for and) then it is pronounced ee as in tree
    (Spanish example: cinco y media [five thirty])
  • Z -- In South America the 'z' is pronounced as the English S; in Spain the 'z' is closer to the 'th' in the English word, 'bath'
    (Spanish example: diez)
  • QUE -- pronounced ke as in kept
    (Spanish example: ¿Que pasa?)
  • QUI --pronounced kee as in keep
    (Spanish example: quince)
  • GUE -- pronounced ge as in guest, and get
    (Spanish example: gueto)
  • GUI -- pronounced gee as in geese
    (Spanish example: guitarra)

The remaining letters are pronounced as they are in English with only very slight variations.

Argentina
Argentina
Bolivia
Bolvia
Chile
Chile
Columbia
Columbia
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Cuba
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Ecuador
El Salvador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Guatemala
Honduras
Honduras
Mexico
Mexico
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Peru
Peru
 
Paraguay
Paraguay
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Spain
Spain

Uruguay
Uruguay

Venezuela
Venezuela
Copyright © 2003 Jericho Public Schools. All rights reserved.