The Spanish alphabet consists of 27 letters, including all the letters in the English alphabet plus the additional letter "ñ". It is the foundation of learning Spanish pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary. Each letter has a unique pronunciation that differs from English, making it essential for learners to practice them alongside examples of words. The international phonetic transcription (IPA) is used to clarify the pronunciation.
Below is a list of all the letters in the Spanish alphabet, with an example word for each letter and its IPA pronunciation.
The Spanish Alphabet with Examples
| Letter | Name in Spanish | Example Word | Meaning | IPA Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | a | Amigo | Friend | /a/ |
| B | be | Bien | Well/Good | /b/ |
| C | ce | Casa | House | /ka/ |
| CH | che | Chocolate | Chocolate | /ʧo.ko.ˈla.te/ |
| D | de | Día | Day | /di.a/ |
| E | e | Escuela | School | /esˈkwe.la/ |
| F | efe | Familia | Family | /fa.ˈmi.lja/ |
| G | ge | Gato | Cat | /ˈga.to/ |
| H | hache | Hola | Hello | /ˈo.la/ (silent "h") |
| I | i | Isla | Island | /ˈis.la/ |
| J | jota | Jardín | Garden | /xaɾ.ˈdin/ |
| K | ka | Kilo | Kilo | /ˈki.lo/ |
| L | ele | Libro | Book | /ˈli.bɾo/ |
| LL | elle | Lluvia | Rain | /ˈʝu.bja/ or /ˈʒu.bja/ |
| M | eme | Mano | Hand | /ˈma.no/ |
| N | ene | Niño | Boy | /ˈni.ɲo/ |
| Ñ | eñe | Año | Year | /ˈa.ɲo/ |
| O | o | Oso | Bear | /ˈo.so/ |
| P | pe | Pan | Bread | /pan/ |
| Q | cu | Queso | Cheese | /ˈke.so/ |
| R | erre | Rosa | Rose | /ˈro.sa/ |
| S | ese | Sol | Sun | /sol/ |
| T | te | Tarde | Afternoon | /ˈtaɾ.ðe/ |
| U | u | Uva | Grape | /ˈu.βa/ |
| V | uve | Vaso | Glass | /ˈba.so/ (soft "v") |
| W | uve doble | Whisky | Whiskey | /ˈwis.ki/ |
| X | equis | Xilófono | Xylophone | /si.ˈlo.fo.no/ |
| Y | ye (or i griega) | Yate | Yacht | /ˈʝa.te/ |
| Z | zeta | Zapato | Shoe | /θa.ˈpa.to/ (Spain) /sa.ˈpa.to/ (Latin America) |
Key Notes:
- Letter "H" is silent in Spanish (e.g., hola /ˈo.la/).
- LL is pronounced as /ʝ/ (like the English "y" in yes), but in some regions, it may sound like /ʒ/ or even /ʃ/.
- C and Z: In Spain, "C" (before e or i) and "Z" are pronounced as /θ/, like the English "th" in think. In Latin America, they are pronounced as /s/.
- V and B are pronounced similarly, often as a soft /b/ or /β/.
- X can vary depending on the word, pronounced as /s/, /ks/, or /h/ in some words (e.g., México).
Practice Tips:
- Listen to native speakers pronounce these letters.
- Practice spelling out words using the Spanish alphabet.
- Use apps or flashcards to reinforce vocabulary with each letter.
This list ensures you have a strong foundation before moving on to complex grammar topics. It also incorporates practical aspects like common errors and writing skills to make your learning more applicable.
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