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"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)

 

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"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)

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"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).

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"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)

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"j" The j, like the soft g, is pronounced

like the English "h" in "happy"  Example: "joven" (young)

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"ll" The elle comes after the "l" in the

Spanish alphabet.  It is pronounced like the "y" in "you."  Example:  "llamar" (to call)

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"ñ" The eñe comes after the "n" in the

Spanish alphabet and is pronounced roughly like "ny" in "canyon."  Example: "baño" (bathroom)

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"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)

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"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).

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"z" The "z" in Spanish is pronounced like

the soft c.  Example: "zona" (area)

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“d” The “d” in Spanish is pronounced like

the “th” sound in English “dedo” (finger)