Quick pronunciation tips for Spanish travel phrases

Here are some quick pronunciation tips for common Spanish travel phrases to help with clear communication:

• Spanish vowels are pure and short, always pronounced the same way:

  • a = “ah” as in “car”
  • e = “eh” as in “bed”
  • i = “ee” as in “see”
  • o = “oh” as in “no”
  • u = “oo” as in “too”

• The letter “h” is silent (e.g., hola is pronounced “OH-lah”).

• The letter “j” sounds like a strong English “h” or a soft guttural sound (e.g., jalapeño is “ha-la-PEH-nyo”).

• The letter “c” before “e” or “i” sounds like “th” in Spain or “s” in Latin America (e.g., gracias is “GRA-thyas” in Spain, “GRA-syas” in Latin America).

• The letter “r” is tapped quickly with the tongue behind the upper front teeth (e.g., pero “PEH-ro”). At the start of words or doubled (rr), it is rolled (e.g., perro “PEH-rro”).

• The letter “ll” is pronounced like a “y” sound (in most dialects).

Quick phrase pronunciations:

• Hola — “OH-lah” (Hello)
• ¿Dónde está el baño? — “DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyo?” (Where is the bathroom?)
• Por favor — “por fa-VOR” (Please)
• Gracias — “GRA-thyas” or “GRA-syas” (Thank you)
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? — “KWAN-toh KWEHS-tah?” (How much does it cost?)
• No entiendo — “noh en-tee-EN-doh” (I don’t understand)
• Ayuda — “ah-YOO-dah” (Help)

These small pronunciation tips will greatly help in making travel conversations more understandable and pleasant.