- 24 Mar, 2024
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The Spanish alphabet, known as “el alfabeto español” is the set of letters used to write the Spanish language. It comprises 27 letters, each with its own distinct sound and role in spelling and pronunciation. The Spanish alphabet consists of the following 27 letters: “a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, ñ, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z.” Additionally, Spanish includes unique characters like “ñ” (pronounced ‘enye’), which represents a distinct sound not found in English. In addition to these, there are also the combinations of “ch,” “ll,” and “rr,” each having its own unique pronunciation.
Listen to the Spanish alphabet and follow it from the chart.
| Letter | Spanish | English | Pronunciation |
| a | a | ah | Pronounced like the “ah” sound in “father.” |
| b | be | bay | Pronounced like the English “b” sound, but softer. It’s similar to the “b” in “baby. |
| c | ce | say | Before “a, o, u,” it’s pronounced like the English “k” sound in “cat.” Before “e, i,” it’s pronounced like the “th” sound in “thin.” |
| ch | che | chay | like the ch in “church” |
| d | de | day | Pronounced like the English “d” sound, similar to the “d” in “dog.” |
| e | e | ay | Pronounced like the “eh” sound in “bed.” |
| f | efe | ay-fay | Pronounced like the English “f” sound, as in “fox.” |
| g | ge | hay | Before “a, o, u,” it’s pronounced like the “g” in “goat.” Before “e, i,” it’s pronounced like the “h” in “hat.” |
| h | hache | ah-chay | In Spanish, “h” is always silent and has no sound. |
| i | ee | ee | Pronounced like the “ee” sound in “see.” |
| j | jota | ho-ta | Pronounced like a strong “h” sound, similar to the “ch” in the Scottish word “loch” or the German “ich.” |
| k | ka | kah | Pronounced like the English “k” sound. |
| l | ele | ay-lay | Pronounced like the English “l” sound, as in “love.” |
| ll | elle | ay-yay | like the y in “yes” |
| m | eme | ay-may | Pronounced like the English “m” sound, similar to the “m” in “mother.” |
| n | ene | ay-nay | Pronounced like the English “n” sound, as in “nice.” |
| ñ | eñe | ay-nyay | This is a unique letter in Spanish, representing a sound similar to “ny” in “canyon.” |
| o | o | oh | Pronounced like the “oh” sound in “go.” |
| p | pe | pay | Pronounced like the English “p” sound, as in “pen.” |
| q | cu | koo | In Spanish, “q” is always followed by “u,” and together they produce a “k” sound, as in “queen.” |
| r | ere | ay-ray | Pronounced with a rolled “r” sound, produced by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. |
| rr | erre | ay-rray | Strongly trilled |
| s | ese | ay-say | Pronounced like the English “s” sound, similar to the “s” in “snake.” |
| t | te | tay | Pronounced like the English “t” sound, as in “tiger.” |
| u | u | oo | Pronounced like the “oo” sound in “boot.” |
| v | uve | oo-vay | Pronounced like the English “b” sound, but softer, often similar to the “v” in “vase.” |
| w | uve doble | oo-vay do-blay | This letter is rare in Spanish and is typically found in loanwords. Its pronunciation resembles that of English, as in “water.” |
| x | equis | ay-kees | In some words, it’s pronounced like the English “ks” sound, as in “box.” In others, it’s pronounced like the “h” sound in “hat.” |
| y | ye | yay | Pronounced like the “y” in “yes.” |
| z | zeta | say-ta | Pronounced like the English “s” sound, similar to the “z” in “zebra.” |
Table of Contents
History of the Spanish Alphabet
The roots of the Spanish alphabet can be traced back to the Latin alphabet, which was brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Romans. Over time, the alphabet underwent various changes and adaptations, influenced by factors such as linguistic shifts and cultural exchanges. Dating back to ancient times, the Spanish language has undergone several transformations, influenced by cultural, linguistic, and historical factors.
How to Pronounce the Spanish letters?
Pronouncing the letters of the Spanish alphabet correctly is essential for clear communication in Spanish. Below is a guide on how to pronounce each letter:
Spanish Alphabet Songs
Spanish alphabet songs offer a dynamic and interactive approach to learning the alphabet. Each song is dedicated to a specific letter of the Spanish alphabet, making it easy for learners to associate the letter with its corresponding sound and vocabulary.
The most listened to Spanish Alphabet songs are listed below.
1. Spanish Alphabet Song | OnlineLearnSpanish
2. Learn Spanish alphabet and vowels with BASHO & FRIENDS – El Alfabeto
3. Sesame Street: ABCs En Español (with Gina Rodriguez)
4. Learn The Spanish Alphabet | Podcast
Spanish Phonetic Alphabet
The Spanish Phonetic Alphabet, also known as the Alfabeto Fonético Español, is a system used to represent the sounds of the Spanish language. Unlike the traditional Spanish alphabet, which consists of 27 letters (including the “ch,” “ll,” and “rr” digraphs), the Spanish Phonetic Alphabet focuses on phonemes, or distinct speech sounds.
Spanish Sign Language Alphabet
The Spanish Sign Language Alphabet, known as “Alfabeto Manual Español” or “Alfabeto Dactilológico,” is used by the Deaf community in Spanish-speaking countries to spell out words and communicate visually. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a specific handshape or movement. Below is a description of the Spanish Sign Language Alphabet:
