GUIDEDeep dive
Spanish Pronunciation Basics
Spanish pronunciation is more regular than English: five stable vowels, predictable stress, ñ sounds like ny, and h is usually silent. Learn vowels and stress first, then vocabulary.
Five vowels
a e i o u are short and stable, not diphthongs.
Accent marks á é í ó ú show the stressed syllable.
Special letters
ñ sounds like ny, as in español.
h is usually silent; ll often sounds like y; rr is trilled.
FAQ
Are accents required?
Yes in formal writing; they affect pronunciation and meaning (si/sí).
Is Spanish like English?
Vowels are more stable; do not use English diphthongs.
Sources
Related calculators
Spanish Visual Vocabulary: Gamified 483-Card Deck52 everyday themes, 483 Spanish words, level cards and spaced repetition with Chinese meanings and English hints.More guides
Hiragana vs KatakanaRead guideSpaced Repetition and the Forgetting CurveRead guideOn Readings vs Kun ReadingsRead guideAn N5 Kanji Study OrderRead guideKEEP READING
Keep reading
Read in order, or jump to another guide on the same topic.
← PreviousUsing Academic Words in WritingCollocations, word forms, examples and avoiding word salad.Next →A 60-Word Spanish PlanTen words a day, examples, review and output.