Five stable vowels
Spanish vowels are generally shorter and more stable than English vowels. Avoid turning them into English-style glides.
R and RR
A single r between vowels is usually a tap, as in pero. rr is a trill, as in perro. At the beginning of a word, written r is also strong: rojo.
J and G
j, and g before e/i, use a friction sound made further back in the mouth than English h: jamón, gente, girar.
Stress
If a word ends in a vowel, n or s, stress normally falls on the penultimate syllable: CA-sa, HA-blan. Otherwise it normally falls on the final syllable: ho-TEL. Written accents mark exceptions or distinguish forms.
Pronunciation drill
Read these pairs slowly, then at natural speed: pero/perro · caro/carro · papa/papá · hablo/habló. Record yourself and check whether the contrast remains clear.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Spanish accent to communicate well?
No. Clear vowels, stress and key consonant contrasts matter more than trying to imitate a particular regional accent.
Is ll always pronounced the same?
No. Pronunciation varies by region. In many varieties ll and y have merged, but their exact sound can still differ geographically.
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