Reglas del Alfabeto

1. Reglas del Alfabeto • "b" and "v" • The Spanish "b" and "v" are pronounced the same, equivalent to the English "b" in "bear."  Examples include "bonito" (pretty) and "verde" (green)

2. Reglas del Alfabeto • "c" • There is both a "hard c" and a "soft c" in Spanish.  The hard c, equivalent to the c in "car," is used before the vowels a, o, and u. :"cable" (cable), "con" (with), "cumpleaños" (birthday), • The "cc" is pronounced with the first c as a hard c and the second as a soft c, just like the cc in "access."  "acceder" (to access), and " • The soft c, equivalent to the s in "sock," is used before the vowels "e" and "i".  The c is the only letter that forms a double consonant in Spanish (the "rr" and "ll" are considered independent letters). "cepillo" (comb), "ciclo" (cycle) • The combination "ch," pronounced like "ch" in "cheese," was formally considered a separate letter of the Spanish alphabet (following "c"), but is now just thought of as a combination of consonants. chico" (boy)

3. Reglas del Alfabeto • "g" • Like the letter "c" there is both a "hard g" and a "soft g" in Spanish.  The hard g, pronounced like the g in "gate," is used before the vowels a, o, and u.  "gato" (cat), "golf" (golf), • Sometimes the dieresisis used in Spanish.  The dieresis is a symbol made by two dots over a "u," it looks like this- ü.  The dieresis causes a "u" in-between a "g" and an "e" or "i" to be pronounced.  Example: "bilingüe" • The soft g, pronounced like the "h" in "happy," is used before the vowels "i" or "e."  ), "gigante" (giant), "general" (general), • If there is a "u" in-between the soft g and the "i" or "e," the "u" is not pronounced, but the soft g turns into a hard g. "gustar" (to like"guepardo" (cheetah), and "guiar" (to guide).

4. Reglas del Alfabeto • "h" • The h in Spanish is a silent letter, meaning it is not pronounced.  Just think of it as decoration.  Example: "hotel" (hotel) and "ahora" (now)

5. Reglas del Alfabeto • "j" • The j, like the soft g, is pronounced like the English "h" in "happy"  Example: "joven" (young)

6. Reglas del Alfabeto • "ll" • The elle comes after the "l" in the Spanish alphabet.  It is pronounced like the "y" in "you."  Example:  "llamar" (to call)

7. Reglas del Alfabeto • "ñ" • The eñe comes after the "n" in the Spanish alphabet and is pronounced roughly like "ny" in "canyon."  Example: "baño" (bathroom)

8. Reglas del Alfabeto • "q" • The q in Spanish is always followed by a "u" and is pronounced like the "k" in "king."  Example:"que" (what) and "querer" (to want)

9. Reglas del Alfabeto • "rr" • The double r comes after the "r" in the Spanish alphabet.  It is a pronunciation nightmare for most English speakers.  It requires you to vibrate your tongue while making an "r" sound.  For some it is easy, for others difficult, but if you can't do it don't worry, it often comes with time.  Example: "perro" (dog).

10. Reglas del Alfabeto • "z" • The "z" in Spanish is pronounced like the soft c.  Example: "zona" (area)

11. Reglas del Alfabeto • “d” • The “d” in Spanish is pronounced like the “th” sound in English “dedo” (finger)