Learn Spanish vocabulary by typing words and phrases from flashcards. The flashcard summary allows you to check your progress and select flashcards to learn.
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Phonetic symbols in Spanish pronunciation
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) provides a standardized set of symbols to represent the sounds of spoken language. Below are the IPA symbols for Spanish pronunciation, along with examples and descriptions, including how these sounds are pronounced in English words.
Spanish Vowels
- /a/ - as in casa, pronounced /ˈkasa/ (like "a" in father /ˈfɑːðər/)
- /e/ - as in mesa, pronounced /ˈmesa/ (like "e" in bed /bɛd/)
- /i/ - as in vida, pronounced /ˈβida/ (like "ee" in see /siː/)
- /o/ - as in loco, pronounced /ˈloko/ (like "o" in go /ɡoʊ/)
- /u/ - as in luna, pronounced /ˈluna/ (like "oo" in boot /buːt/)
Spanish Diphthongs
- /ai̯/ - as in aire, pronounced /ˈai̯ɾe/ (like "igh" in high /haɪ/)
- /ei̯/ - as in rey, pronounced /ˈrei̯/ (like "ay" in say /seɪ/)
- /oi̯/ - as in hoy, pronounced /oi̯/ (like "oy" in boy /bɔɪ/)
- /au̯/ - as in causa, pronounced /ˈkau̯sa/ (like "ow" in cow /kaʊ/)
- /eu̯/ - as in europa, pronounced /eu̯ˈɾopa/ (like "ew" in few /fjuː/)
Spanish Consonants
- /p/ - as in pato, pronounced /ˈpato/ (like "p" in pat /pæt/)
- /b/ - as in boca, pronounced /ˈboka/ (like "b" in bat /bæt/)
- /t/ - as in taza, pronounced /ˈtasa/ (like "t" in tip /tɪp/)
- /d/ - as in dado, pronounced /ˈdado/ (like "d" in dip /dɪp/)
- /k/ - as in casa, pronounced /ˈkasa/ (like "c" in cat /kæt/)
- /ɡ/ - as in gato, pronounced /ˈɡato/ (like "g" in get /ɡɛt/)
- /f/ - as in foca, pronounced /ˈfoka/ (like "f" in fat /fæt/)
- /θ/ - as in cielo, pronounced /ˈθjelo/ (like "th" in thin /θɪn/ - Castilian Spanish)
- /s/ - as in sopa, pronounced /ˈsopa/ (like "s" in sip /sɪp/)
- /x/ - as in caja, pronounced /ˈkaxa/ (like "ch" in loch /lɒx/ - Scottish English)
- /ʝ/ - as in calle, pronounced /ˈkaʝe/ (similar to "y" in yes /jɛs/)
- /ɟ͡ʝ/ - as in llama, pronounced /ˈɟ͡ʝama/ (sometimes pronounced as /ˈʝama/, like "j" in judge /dʒʌdʒ/)
- /t͡ʃ/ - as in chico, pronounced /ˈt͡ʃiko/ (like "ch" in chin /tʃɪn/)
- /m/ - as in mano, pronounced /ˈmano/ (like "m" in man /mæn/)
- /n/ - as in nido, pronounced /ˈnido/ (like "n" in no /noʊ/)
- /ɲ/ - as in niño, pronounced /ˈniɲo/ (like "ny" in canyon /ˈkænjən/)
- /l/ - as in luna, pronounced /ˈluna/ (like "l" in light /laɪt/)
- /ʎ/ - as in llama, pronounced /ˈʎama/ (sometimes pronounced as /ˈʝama/, like "ll" in million /ˈmɪljən/)
- /r/ - as in ratón, pronounced /raˈton/ (trilled, similar to "r" in perro /ˈpɛroʊ/)
- /ɾ/ - as in pero, pronounced /ˈpeɾo/ (flapped, like the "tt" in butter /ˈbʌtər/ in American English)
- /β/ - as in vaca, pronounced /ˈβaka/ (like "v" in lava /ˈlɑːvə/)
- /ð/ - as in cada, pronounced /ˈkaða/ (like "th" in this /ðɪs/)
- /ɣ/ - as in amigo, pronounced /aˈmiɣo/ (like "g" in dog /dɒɡ/ but softer)
Unique Features of Spanish Pronunciation
Spanish pronunciation has several unique characteristics that set it apart from other languages. Some of these distinctive features include:
- Vowel Sounds: Spanish vowels are generally shorter and more consistent than in English, with only five distinct vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u). Each vowel has a single pronunciation, making them easier to learn.
- Consonant Pronunciation: Many Spanish consonants have distinct pronunciations. For example, the letter "r" is rolled or tapped, depending on its position in a word, creating a trilled sound that is not present in English.
- Stress Patterns: Spanish words typically follow predictable stress patterns. Words ending in a vowel, "n," or "s," are usually stressed on the second-to-last syllable, while other words are stressed on the last syllable.
- Use of the Letter "Ñ": The "ñ" character is unique to Spanish and represents a nasal palatal sound similar to the "ny" in "canyon."
- Consonant Clusters: Spanish tends to avoid consonant clusters at the beginning of words. For instance, instead of "spring," Spanish would use "primavera."
- Soft and Hard "C" and "G": The pronunciation of "c" and "g" changes depending on the following vowel. For example, "c" sounds like "k" before "a," "o," or "u" but like "s" (or "th" in Spain) before "e" or "i." Similarly, "g" sounds like the "g" in "go" before "a," "o," or "u" but like an English "h" before "e" or "i."
Understanding these features can significantly enhance one's ability to pronounce Spanish words correctly and appreciate the nuances of the language.