Pronunciation
Five vowels that do not glide
Spanish has five vowels, and each one holds still. The tongue does not slide off into a second sound the way English often does.
a
Typical mistake
Stressed English vowels glide. hola turns into “hole-uh”, no into “noh-oo”, and mesa into “may-suh”.
How to make the sound
- 01Pick the vowel and stop. Do not add a second target.
- 02o stays rounded and back. Cut the “w” at the end.
- 03e stays mid. Cut the “y” that English adds in “may”.
- 04Short words first: no, sí, mesa, cómo.
Practice words
no
one o, no off-glide
cómo
stress on the first syllable
mesa
e does not become “ay”
sí
a tight i
Questions
- Are Spanish vowels shorter than English ones?
- Length is not the main difference. The vowel should not glide into a second sound.
- Does an accent mark change the vowel quality?
- It marks stress. á is still the same a, said on the stressed syllable.
Check a out loud
Record a phrase with this sound — the teacher will tell you if you landed it.