How to Pronounce R in Spanish

Hola! Today, we will talk about one of the most difficult sounds in Spanish for the Spanish students, is the sound of the letter R.

So this letter has two pronunciations in Spanish. It has the strong sound. And so we go “fuerte”. And a soft sound and so we go “suave.” 

So the first thing to understand is how to pronounce these sounds.

So to pronounce these R’s in Spanish. The tip of the tongue has to touch the palate just above your teeth. So here. 

To create this soft sound in “suave.” The tip has to touch this part of the palate just once. Very softly.

So you can use this pronunciation when the R is between vowels. Entre vocales. Like in “caro/oro.” Also when it’s at the end of a syllable. 

Final de la silaba, como en carmelo como en cantar. Again, the tip of the tongue touches the palate just above the upper teeth.

Just once and very gentle. The second sound, the more difficult is the strong sound.

Now the position of the tongue is the same. Only the tongue has to make more pressure

against the palate and it has to touch the palate twice or three times.

So it’s not just one is three times. We use this pronunciation when the R is double.

This is one of the only letters that is double in Spanish. Not many are. So, for example, in the word, “perro.” We say perro. We also use these pronunciation when the R is at the beginning of the word.

For example in reto or ato. And at the beginning the word so we will pronounce the strong sound.

And finally before the consonant R, after the consonant N. After the consonant L and after the consonant S. For example Enrique, Alrededor, Israel.