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Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to identify the Spanish pronunciation and phonetic spelling of:
We'll begin this section by learning about the Spanish pronunciation and phonetic spelling of "Letters".
The Spanish Alphabet
Below are the Spanish pronunciations and phonetic spellings of the letters in the Spanish alphabet.
Click on a phonetic spelling/pronunciation to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
a |
ah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of a |
n |
EH-neh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of n |
---|---|---|---|
b |
beh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of b |
ñ |
EHN-nyay Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of ñ |
c |
seh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of c |
o |
oh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of o |
ch |
cheh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of ch |
p |
peh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of p |
d |
deh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of d |
q |
koo Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of q |
e |
eh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of e |
r |
EH-reh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of r |
f |
EH-feh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of f |
rr |
EHR-reh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of rr |
g |
heh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of g |
s |
EH-say Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of s |
h |
AH-chay Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of h |
t |
teh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of t |
i |
ee Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of i |
u |
oo Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of u |
j |
HOH-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of j |
v |
veh/beh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of v |
k |
kah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of k |
w |
doh-BLEH-vay Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of w |
l |
EH-leh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of l |
x |
EH-kees Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of x |
ll |
EH-yeh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of ll |
y |
ee-GREEAY-gah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of y |
m |
EH-meh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of m |
z |
SEH-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of z |
Now you're ready to learn the Spanish pronunciations, and the Spanish and phonetic spellings of "Numbers".
Numbers (1-19 Pronunciation)
Below are the numbers one through nineteen. Notice the numbers sixteen through nineteen use a root deeays
deeays
here
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of the root deeays to make a new number.
Click on the phonetic spelling to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
0 | cero |
SEH-roh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 0 |
1 | uno |
OO-noh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 1 |
2 | dos |
dohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 2 |
3 | tres |
trehs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 3 |
4 | cuatro |
KWAH-troh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 4 |
5 | cinco |
SEEN-koh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 5 |
6 | seis |
seys Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 6 |
7 | siete |
SEEAY-teh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 7 |
8 | ocho |
OH-choh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 8 |
9 | nueve |
NWEH-veh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 9 |
10 | diez |
deeays Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 10 |
11 | once |
OHN-seh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 11 |
12 | doce |
DOH-seh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 12 |
13 | trece |
TREH-seh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 13 |
14 | catorce |
kah-TOHR-seh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 14 |
15 | quince |
KEEN-seh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 15 |
16 | diez y seis |
deeays ee sehs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 16 |
17 | diez y siete |
deeays ee SEEAY-teh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 17 |
18 | diez y ocho |
deeays ee OH-choh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 18 |
19 | diez y nueve |
deeays ee NWEH-veh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 19 |
Numbers (Stem + Root)
Numbers higher than twenty will have a stem plus a root. The stem is the first part of the number that will tell you if you are in the twenties, thirties, etc. Remember, roots are numbers one through nine.
Numbers (20-29 Pronunciation)
Click on a phonetic spelling to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
20 | veinte |
VAYN-teh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 20 |
21 | veinte y uno |
VAYN-teh ee OO-noh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 21 |
22 | veintidos |
vayn-tee-DOHS Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 22 |
23 | veintitrés |
vayn-tee-TREHS Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 23 |
24 | veinticuatro |
vayn-tee-KWAH-troh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 24 |
25 | veinticinco |
vayn-tee-SEEN-koh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 25 |
26 | veintiséis |
vayn-tee-SEYS Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 26 |
27 | veintisiete |
vayn-tee-SEEAY-teh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 27 |
28 | veintiocho |
vayn-tee-OH-choh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 28 |
29 | veintinueve |
vayn-tee-NOOEH-veh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 29 |
Numbers (Stems for 30-90)
Click on a phonetic spelling to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
30 | treinta |
TRAYN-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 30 |
40 | cuarenta |
kwah-REHN-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 40 |
50 | cincuenta |
seen-KWEHN-tah Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 50 |
60 | sesenta |
seh-SEHN-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 60 |
70 | setenta |
seh-TEHN-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 70 |
80 | ochenta |
oh-CHEHN-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 80 |
90 | noventa |
noh-VEHN-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 90 |
Numbers (100-1000)
Notice the numbers 200 through 900. Many have the root cientos.
Click on the phonetic spelling to hear the pronunciation of the number.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
100 | cien |
SEEAYN Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 100 |
200 | doscientos |
dohs-SEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 200 |
300 | trescientos |
trehs-SEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 300 |
400 | cuatrocientos |
kwah-troh-SEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 400 |
500 | quinientos |
kee-NEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 500 |
600 | seiscientos |
seys-SEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 600 |
700 | setecientos |
seh-teh-SEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 700 |
800 | ochocientos |
oh-choh-SEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 800 |
900 | novecientos |
noh-veh-SEEAYN-tohs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 900 |
1000 | mil |
meel Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of 1000 |
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers are used to designate place.
Listed below are ordinal numbers. Click on a word to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
first | primero |
pree-MEH-roh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of first |
second | segundo |
seh-GOON-doh Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of second |
third | tercero |
tehr-SEH-roh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of third |
fourth | cuarto |
KWAHR-toh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of fourth |
fifth | quinto |
KEEN-toh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of fifth |
Notice that the days of the week are not capitalized in Spanish. Click on a word to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Sunday | domingo |
doh-MEEN-goh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Sunday |
Monday | lunes |
LOO-nehs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Monday |
Tuesday | martes |
MAHR-tehs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Tuesday |
Wednesday | miércoles |
mee-EHR-koh-lehs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Wednesday |
Thursday | jueves |
HWEH-vehs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Thursday |
Friday | viernes |
VEEAYR-nehs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Friday |
Saturday | sábado |
SAH-bah-doh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Saturday |
Click on a word to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
January | enero |
eh-NEH-roh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of January |
February | febrero |
feh-BREH-roh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of February |
March | marzo |
MAHR-soh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of March |
April | abril |
ah-BREEL Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of April |
May | mayo |
MAH-yoh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of May |
June | junio |
hoo-NEE-oh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of June |
July | julio |
hoo-LEE-oh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of July |
August | agosto |
ah-GOHS-toh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of August |
September | septiembre |
sehp-TEEAYM-breh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of September |
October | octubre |
ohk-TOO-breh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of October |
November | noviembre |
noh-VEEAYM-breh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of November |
December | diciembre |
dee-SEEAYM-breh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of December |
Click on the phonetic spelling to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Spring | la primavera |
lah pree-mah-VEH-rah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Spring |
Summer | el verano |
ehl veh-RAH-noh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Summer |
Fall | el otoño |
ehl oh-TOHN-nyoh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Fall |
Winter | el invierno |
ehl een-VEEAYR-noh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Winter |
Expressions of Time (Pronunciation)
In this section you will learn expressions of time in Spanish.
Click on a word or phrase to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
today | hoy |
ohy Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of today |
yesterday | ayer |
ah-YEHR Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of yesterday |
day before yesterday | anteayer |
ahn-teh-ah-YEHR Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of day before yesterday |
tomorrow | mañana |
mahn-NYAH-nah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of tomorrow |
now | ahora |
ah-OH-rah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of now |
last night | anoche |
ah-NOH-cheh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of last night |
early | temprano |
tehm-PRAH-noh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of early |
late | tarde |
TARH-deh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of late |
this afternoon | esta tarde |
EHS-tah TAHR-deh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of this afternoon |
this evening | esta noche |
EHS-tah NOH-cheh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of this evening |
this morning | esta mañana |
EHS-tah mahn-NYAH-nah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of this morning |
Expressions of Time (Phrases)
Many times you will need to find out what time an event occurred. The following phrases will enable you to obtain an approximate timeframe. Click on a word or phrase to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
At what time? | ¿a qué hora? |
ah KAY OH-rah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of At what time? |
In the morning | de la mañana |
deh lah mahn-NYAH-nah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of In the morning |
In the afternoon | de la tarde |
deh lah TAHR-deh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of In the afternoon |
In the evening | de la noche |
deh lah NOH-cheh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of In the evening |
Expressions of Time
The following are examples to the question: What time is it?
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
It is 12:15 | son las doce y cuarto |
sohn lahs DOH-seh ee KWAHR-toh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of It is 12:15 |
It is 6:00 | son las seis |
sohn lahs seys Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of It is 6:00 |
It is 2:30 | son las dos y media |
sohn lahs dohs ee MEH-deeah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of It is 2:30 |
If the time is after thirty minutes past the hour, it is commonplace to use the next hour, and minus the minutes. Two examples are listed below:
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
It is 10:40 | son las once menos veinte |
sohn lahs OHN-seh MEHN-ohs VAYN-teh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of It is 10:40 |
It is 7:45 | son las ocho menos cuarto |
sohn lahs OH-choh MEHN-ohs KWAHR-toh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of It is 7:45 |
Natural colors are those used to describe a person's eye color, skin color, or hair color. The pronunciations are consistent with the pronunciations of the same colors when used to describe vehicles, etc.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
blue | azul |
ah-SOOL Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of blue |
green | verde |
VEHR-deh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of green |
hazel | azuloso |
ah-soo-LOH-soh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of hazel |
red | rojo |
ROH-hoh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of red |
silver | plata |
PLAH-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of silver |
black | negro |
NEH-groh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of black |
white | blanco |
BLAHN-koh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of white |
gray | gris |
grees Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of gray |
brown | café or castaño |
kah-FEH/kah-STAHN-nyoh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of brown |
blonde | rubio |
ROO-bee-oh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of blonde |
brunette | moreno |
moh-REH-noh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of brunette |
gold | oro |
OH-roh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of gold |
orange | anaranjado |
ah-nah-rahn-HAH-doh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of orange |
pink | rosa |
ROH-sah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of pink |
purple | púrpura |
POOR-pooh-rah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of purple |
yellow | amarillo |
ah-mah-REE-yoh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of yellow |
In this section you will learn Spanish pronunciation and phonetic spelling of "Courteous Expressions, Helpful Words and Phrases".
Click on a word or phrase to hear the Spanish pronunciation.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Good afternoon! | ¡ Buenas tardes! |
¡ BWEHN-ahs TAHR-dehs! Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good afternoon! |
Good evening! | ¡ Buenas noches! |
¡ BWEHN-ahs NOH-chehs! Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good evening! |
Sir | Señor |
sehn-NYOR Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Sir |
Mrs. | señora |
sehn-NYOR-ah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Mrs. |
Miss | señorita |
sehn-NYOR-ee-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Miss |
Pardon me. | perdóneme. |
pehr-DOH-neh-meh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Pardon me. |
Please | por favor |
pohr fah-VOHR Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Please |
Thank you | gracias |
GRAH-seeahs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Thank you |
Yes | sí |
see Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Yes |
Good Morning, officer. | Buenos días, oficial. |
BWEHN-ohs DEE-ahs oh-fee-see-AHL Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good Morning, officer. |
Help me. | ¡ Ayúdeme! |
ah-YOO-dah-meh Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Help me. |
I am a police officer. | Soy policía |
sohy poh-lee-SEEAH Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of I am a police officer. |
Do you speak English? | ¿Usted hable inglés? |
¿oo-STED AH-blah een-GLEHS? Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Do you speak English? |
Police | policía |
poh-lee-SEEAH Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Police |
Stop! Police! | ¡ Alto! ¡ Policía! |
AHL-toh! poh-lee-SEEAH! Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Stop! Police! |
I speak Spanish. | Yo hablo Espa ñ ol. |
yoh AH-bloh ehs-spahn-YOH Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of I speak Spanish. |
Below, you will see video related to either courteous expressions, or helpful words and phrases. These examples show how useful certain words and phrases can be in different situations.
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Person interviewed: Good afternoon, Sir. | ¡ Buenas tardes, Señor! |
BWEHN-ahs TAHR-dehs, sehn-NYOHR. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good afternoon, Sir. |
Officer: Good afternoon, Ma'am. | ¡ Buenas tardes, Señora! |
BWEHN-ahs TAHR-dehs, sehn-NYOHR-ah. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good afternoon, Ma'am. |
Person interviewed: No, miss. | No, Señorita! |
noh, sehn-NYOHR-ee-tah. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of No, miss. |
Officer: Pardon me, miss. | Pardóneme, Señorita. |
pehr-DOH-neh-meh sehn-NYOR-ee-tah Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Pardon me, miss. |
Person interviewed: Thank you | Gracias |
GRAH-cias Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Thank you |
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Person interviewed: Good morning, Officer. | Buenos días oficial. |
BWEHN-ohs DEE-ahs, oh-fee-see-AHL. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good morning, Officer. |
Officer: Good morning | Buenos días |
BWEHN-ohs DEE-ahs Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good morning |
Person interviewed: Help me! | ¡ Ayúdeme! |
ah-YOO-deh-meh! Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Help me! |
Officer: I am a police officer. | Yo soy polícia. |
yoh sohy poh-lee-SEEAH. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of I am a police officer. |
Officer: Do you speak English? | ¿Usted habla inglés? |
¿oo-STEHD AH-blah een-GLEHS? Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Do you speak English? |
Person interviewed: No, I don't speak English. I only speak Spanish. | No, yo hablo inglés, solemente Español. |
noh yoh AH-bloh een-GLES. soh-lah-MEHN-teh ehs-pahn-NYOHL. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of No, I don't speak English. I only speak Spanish. |
English | Spanish | Spanish Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Person interviewed: Good evening. | Buenas noches |
BWEHN-ohs NOH-chehs. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good evening. |
Officer: Good evening. | Buenas noches |
BWEHN-ohs NOH-chehs. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Good evening. |
Person interviewed: You police? | ¿Usted policía? |
¿oo-STEHD poh-lee-SEEAH? Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of You police? |
Officer: Yes. | Sí. |
see. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Yes. |
Person interviewed: He didn't pay. | Él no pagó. |
EHL noh pah-GOH. Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of He didn't pay. |
Officer: Stop! Police. | ¡ Alto, Policía! |
AHL-toh! poh-lee-SEEAH! Audio file
Listen to the Spanish pronunciation of Stop! Police. |
All the material presented in the lesson will be used to build your knowledge and language base for the next lessons as well as the scenarios.
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