Spanish Alphabet
The Spanish alphabet is the cornerstone of the Spanish language, and the good news is that it is quite easy for English speakers to learn. This is because the majority of the letters are same as English, and they have similar sounds. However, there are some important differences and it is important that you pay attention to understanding exactly what these are.
Making sure that you know the correct names and pronunciation of the Spanish letters will give you a good foundation upon which to base your future Spanish education. If you ever need to spell a word out loud, or listen to someone else spelling a word for you, then you will need to know the Spanish alphabet.
Names and pronunciation of Spanish vowels
|
Letter |
Name |
Pronunciation |
Example |
|
A |
A |
Like “a” in “father” |
Nada (nothing) |
|
E |
E |
Like “e” in “met” |
Leche (milk) |
|
I |
I |
Like “ee” in “see” |
Idioma (language) |
|
O |
O |
Like “o” in “no” |
Poco (little) |
|
U |
U |
Like “ue” in “sue” |
Rubio (blond) |
Spanish letters that are only used in words of English origin
|
K |
Ka |
The same as in English, because “k” only appears in Spanish in words that are of English origin, such as “kiosko” (kiosk) |
|
W |
Uve doble |
The same as in English, because “w” only appears in Spanish in words that are of English origin. |
Letters in the Spanish alphabet that are similar to English
|
B |
Be |
Like “b” in “beach” |
Bien (good) |
|
D |
De |
Like “d” in “dog” |
Dar (to give) |
|
F |
Efe |
Like “f” in “fire” |
Febrero (February) |
|
L |
Ele |
Like “ll” in “call” |
Listo (ready) |
|
M |
Eme |
Like “m” in “mob” |
Mano (hand) |
|
N |
Ene |
Like “n” in “no” |
Con (with) |
|
P |
Pe |
Like “p” in “pot” |
Pero (but) |
|
S |
Ese |
Like “s” in “salt” |
Ser (to be) |
|
T |
Te |
Like “t” in “stop” |
Todo (all) |
|
Y |
I Griega |
Like “y” in “yes” (although there are some regional variations) |
Yo (I) |
Letters in the Spanish alphabet that are different to English
|
C |
Ce |
There is a hard and soft “C” sound. If it comes before the letters A, O or U then it is similar to the English “K” sound. If it comes before E or I, then it is soft, like an “s” sound. In some parts of Spain the soft sound is like “th” in “thin”. |
Casa (house) Cuello (neck) Cerveza (beer) |
|
CH |
Ce Hache |
Like “ch” in “church” |
Chico (boy) |
|
G |
Ge |
Like “g” in “go”, except for when it comes before I or E and then it is like the “h” in “hot” |
Gato (cat) Gente (people) |
|
H |
Hache |
The “h” in Spanish is always silent |
Hola (hello) |
|
J |
Jota |
Like “h” in “hot” |
Tarjeta (card) |
|
LL |
Elle |
Mostly like “y” in “yellow”. Except for in Argentina where it is like “z” in “azul” |
Calle (street) |
|
Ñ |
Eñe |
Like “ny” in “canyon” |
Año (year) |
|
Q |
Cu |
Like “k” in “kit” |
Quien (who) |
|
R |
Erre |
Like “dd” in “ladder”. When it is the first letter of the word, then it is often trilled. |
Pero (but) Raro (strange) |
|
V |
Uve |
Like “b” in “beach” |
Vino (wine) |
|
X |
Equis |
Mostly like “ks” in “talks” |
Exacto (exact) |
|
Z |
Zeta |
SPAIN – Like “th” in “think” LATIN AMERICA – Like “s” in “see” |
Cabeza (head) |
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