How to pronounce ñ: one sound, not n + y

One beat

Ñ is one sound: the blade of the tongue against the hard palate. IPA [ɲ]. It is not *n* plus a separate *y*.

English speakers often stretch *niño* into “neen-yo” (two pulses) or flatten it to plain *n*.

Useful anchor

English *canyon* is close if you fuse the middle. Then move to Spanish: niño, año, español, mañana.

If the app flags ñ, slow the word and feel one contact, not *n* then *y*.

Train a few ñ phrases in Practice, then check ear accuracy in Listening with near-pairs.