Correct Spanish pronunciation is very important. If you cannot pronounce a word correctly, how can you expect people to understand you when you are speaking Spanish.  Also, not being familiar with the correct forms of pronunciation may keep you from understanding words when someone is talking to you.

There is nothing worse than hearing some foreigner butcher Spanish by mispronouncing words. Instead of saying,  “I want an order of tacos,” you might hear “tacos” pronounced as “take-ohs.” With a little work and awareness, most of these pronunciation errors  can be easily avoided.  All you have to do is follow the rules below and you will improve your Spanish accent.

The first and most important step is to master the FIVE vowel sounds which are relatively easy.  Once you have done this you are on your way to sounding like a native speaker.

Here are the five vowel sounds:
1. The “a” in Spanish is pronounced like the vowel sound in the English word “top.” Try to pronounce the “a” like this when you say these words: Ana, la, banana, cantar.
2. In Spanish the “e” sound is similar to the “e” in the English word “they” or the name of the first letter of the alphabet “a.” Say these words: le, Elena, Pepe, me.
3. The ‘i” in Spanish and the word “y” (and) are pronounced like the “i” in the word “Lisa.”  Pronounce the words: si, y, risco, María.
4. In Spanish the “o’ is similar to the vowel sound in the English word ‘no.” Try keeping this in mind and pronouncing the following words: rojo, motor, Toni, lote, ojo.
5.  The “u” in Spanish is pronounced like the letters “o” in the word “root.” Try to say these words: duna, una, Lupe, gusto.

Practice the five vowel sounds over and over and you will be surprised how much better your Spanish will sound.

Part 2 will come next week.

Tiquismos of the week:

Hacer loco to do something crazy or irrational
¡Qué madre! An exclamation of disgust, anger or disappointment