How to Pronouce Names and Words in Spanish

Learn how to pronounce Spanish correctly. Luckily, Spanish pronunciation is very easy (unlike English)!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pronouncing the consonants: Almost all of the Spanish consonants are the same as English. The V is pronounced more like a B. The J is pronounced like an English H, as in San Jose. The R is rolled (see my article on rolling your R's in the resources below). The double "l" or ll is a Y sound, just like in tortilla. The ñ is pronounced like N plus a Y.

2. The vowel A: The A is always pronounced like in Taco. Ahhhhhhh!

3. The vowel O: The O is also always pronounced like in Taco. Oh!

4. The vowel U: The U is pronounce like an "oo" sound in English, such as "roof" So burrito is pronounced "boo-REE-to" and the U is always the same, unless it is used together with another vowel.

5. The vowel E: The E is always a "short e sound" like in Mexico.

6. The vowel I: The I is pronounced similar to the "ee" in English, exactly as it sounds in burrito.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice by pronouncing the names in the phone book
• Use your best Spanish accent. You want to sound like Speedy Gonzalez or Ricardo Montalban.