Moving Beyond the Vowels

We've started off by learning the vowels, so now we'll move into learning the rest of the alphabet.  Let's review the vowels first!  Remember:


a = ah...Always "ah", as in words like "chica and nacho. 


e = eh..Always "eh", as in words like dinero.


i =  ee...Always "ee", as in words like señorita.


o = oh...Always "oh", as in words like mucho.


u = oo...Almost always "oo", as in words like mucho.



Now, let's add more to what we've already learned!  I'll start from the letter "a" and incorporate the Spanish pronunciation of each letter.  The new material will be bolded for you.  Remember, Spanish pronunciation is short and tense, and you'll be utilizing what you've ALREADY learned in the pronunciation of the rest of the Spanish alphabet.  


a = ah...Always "ah", as in words like "chica and nacho. 



b = be.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish


c = ce, and has two distinctive sounds... s, k.  It makes the "s" sound in words like "cena" (which means dinner in Spanish), and makes the "k" sound like "Carmen".


ch = che.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


d = de.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish


e = eh..Always "eh", as in words like dinero.



f = efe.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish


g = ge, and makes two distinctive sounds...a hard "g" sound like in the word "agua", and a softer "g" sound that sounds like the "h" sound in English.  


h = hache (pronounced a-chay in Spanish).  The letter "h" is always, ALWAYS silent!  You never, under any circumstance, pronounce the letter "h" in Spanish.


i =  ee...Always "ee", as in words like señorita.


j = jota.  The "j" sound in Spanish is always the "h" in English.


k = ka.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish. 


l= ele.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


ll = elle (pronounced e-yay).  The "ll" is pronounced like the letter "y".  You're already familiar with the double "l" sound.  Me llamo.


m = eme.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


n = ene.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


o = oh...Always "oh", as in words like mucho.


p = pe.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


q = cu.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


r = ere. The "r" sound in Spanish makes the "d" in English.  When a word or name begins with an "r", it's rolled or trilled.  


rr = erre.  This is the rolled or trilled "r" sound.


s = ese.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


t = te.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

u = oo...Almost always "oo", as in words like mucho.

v = be.  The letter "v" in Spanish makes the "b" sound.

w = doble oo.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

x = equis (pronounced e-kiss).  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

y = y griega (pronounced ee-gree-ay-gah)  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

z = ceta (pronounced seta).  The letter "z" in Spanish sounds like the letter "s" in both English and Spanish.

I know this is a lot of information.  Don't hesitate to ask questions.  You're doing great and remember to practice, practice, practice!