Alphabet, Pronunciation, Accents

The Spanish Alphabet

Vowels and Diphthongs

1. In general, each vowel is part of a different syllable

e.g. mayonesa  –> ma-yo-ne-sa
e.g. koala –> ko-a-la

2. Two vowels can form one syllable. This is a diphthong.

3. Diphthong = I or U plus any other vowel

e.g. agua –> a-gua
e.g. fiesta –> fies-ta
e.g. huimos –> hui-mos

1. Spanish has two rules for which syllable to stress

• If the words ends in a vowel, N or S –> stress the second-to-last syllable
  • mesa, computadora, trabajan

• If the words ends in anything else –> stress the last syllable
  • hospital, bondad, escuchar

2. An accent shows we are breaking these rules

e.g. hablaré
e.g. azúcar
e.g. pájaro

3. In a diphthong, if accent on A, E, O, stress diphthong. If accent on I, U, break up diphthong.

e.g. trabajáis –> tra-ba-jáis
e.g. filosofía –> fi-lo-so-fí-a

4. Accents are used to distinguish between words that are spelled the same.

e.g. si = if
e.g. sí = yes

5. Accents are used in question words.

e.g. ¿Dónde? = Where?

6. Two dots over a U mean pronounce the U.

e.g. pingüino

7. Put an accent on the words “que” and “cual” when used in an exclamation.

e.g. ¡Qué maravilloso! = How wonderful!
e.g. ¡Cuál dilema! = What a dilema!

8. With demonstrative pronouns

e.g. Quiero éste. = I want this one.