How to roll your r's in Spanish

Talk like a local

We all know a lot of the Spanish language, and have a basic vocabulary (taco, no problema, amigo). However when it comes to putting that Spanish into practice, it's not so easy. One hurdle is learning the rolled R in Spanish.

This is completely foreign to English speakers. It is intimidating for beginners, and even advanced Spanish speakers often struggle.

These steps will make it easy.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Spanish English dictionary
• Phone book from a major city

1. To truly roll your r, you need to forget the American r pronunciation. The American r is hard, formed with the lips closed, and with your tongue on the bottom of your mouth. The Spanish (or French, or other rolled r) is much more similar to the English "d" sound or even "l". The rolled r is pronounced with the mouth open, with the tongue just behind the front teeth.

2. Practice a few times saying the d sound aloud, then follow with the rolled r. Your tongue should not move very far. Your lower jaw should not change at all.

3. Now that you know how to form it, practice drawing it out very long. Take a deep breath, put your tongue on top of your mouth and make the ongoing rolled r, like a motorboat. This is great exercise for your tongue!

4. Now practice the real thing! Get out your Spanish dictionary and practice those words with an r in the middle. For advanced practice, try those words that start with an r. Another great place to find practice words is in the phone book of a major city. Find a hispanic name and go down the list carefully pronouncing the names and rolling your r.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember - one r is pronounced with one flip of the tongue, the double rr is pronounced with several flips. Advanced practice: Ferrocarril

• Remember when you speak Spanish you should keep their accent in mind. You are trying to sound like the great Latins (think Ricardo Montalban or Fernando Lamas).

Resources

• Buy a Spanish English dictionary from Amazon