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  • Monophthong
  • Falling Diphthong
  • Rising Diphthong
  • Flat Diphthong
  • Triphthong
  • Labial Consonant
  • Dental Consonant
  • Alveolar Consonant
  • Palatal Consonant
  • Velar Consonant

Pronunciation

[ai̯]

In Spanish, [ai] is usually a diphthong made of:

• [a] (strong vowel)

• [i] (weak vowel)

It is pronounced in one syllable, with the emphasis on [a].

How to pronounce it:

1. Start with [a]

Mouth open wide

Tongue low and flat

2. Glide smoothly to [i]

Mouth closes slightly

Tongue moves up and forward

3. Keep the movement smooth and quick

Closest English comparison:

• Similar to “eye” in my

• But shorter and purer, without a strong glide

📌 Do NOT exaggerate the English [aɪ] diphthong.

Examples in Spanish:

• aire → [ˈai.ɾe]

• bailar → [baiˈlaɾ]

• paisaje → [paiˈsa.xe]

⚠️ If i has an accent (í), it becomes two syllables:

• país → [paˈis]

Examples of words containing [ai̯]
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 aire /ˈai̯ɾe/ air
2 baile /ˈbai̯le/ dance
3 caimán /kai̯ˈman/ alligator
4 hay /ˈai̯/ there is / there are
5 naipe /ˈnai̯pe/ card

Pronunciation

[ei̯]

In Spanish, [ei] is usually a diphthong made of:

• [e] (strong vowel)

• [i] (weak vowel)

It is pronounced in one syllable, with the emphasis on [e].

How to pronounce it:

1. Start with [e]

Mouth slightly open

Tongue mid-front

2. Glide smoothly to [i]

Lips spread a bit more

Tongue moves up and forward

3. Keep the sound short and smooth

Closest English comparison:

• Similar to “ay” in say

• But without the long English glide [eɪ]

📌 Avoid exaggerating the English diphthong.

Examples in Spanish:

• reina → [ˈrei.na]

• peinar → [peiˈnaɾ]

• aceite → [aˈθει.te] / [aˈsei.te]

⚠️ If i has an accent (í), it becomes two syllables:

• reír → [reˈiɾ]

Examples of words containing [ei̯]
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 peine /ˈpei̯ne/ comb
2 reina /ˈrei̯na/ queen
3 seis /ˈsei̯s/ six
4 rey /ˈrei̯/ king
5 ley /ˈlei̯/ law

Pronunciation

[oi̯]

In Spanish, [oi] is usually a diphthong made of:

• [o] (strong vowel)

• [i] (weak vowel)

It is pronounced in one syllable, with the emphasis on [o].

How to pronounce it:

1. Start with [o]

Lips rounded

Tongue mid-back

2. Glide smoothly to [i]

Lips spread slightly

Tongue moves forward and up

3. Keep the sound short and smooth

Closest English comparison:

• Similar to “oy” in boy

• But shorter and purer, without exaggeration

📌 Avoid making it a long English [ɔɪ] sound.

Examples in Spanish:

• hoy → [oi]

• oigo → [ˈoi.ɣo]

• boina → [ˈboi.na]

⚠️ If i has an accent (í), it becomes two syllables:

• oír → [oˈiɾ]

Examples of words containing [oi̯]
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 hoy /ˈoi̯/ today
2 sois /ˈsoi̯s/ you are (plural, informal)
3 doy /ˈdoi̯/ I give
4 voy /ˈboi̯/ I go
5 coima /ˈkoi̯ma/ bribe

Pronunciation

[au̯]

In Spanish, [au] is usually a diphthong made of:

• [a] (strong vowel)

• [u] (weak vowel)

It is pronounced in one syllable, with the emphasis on [a].

How to pronounce it:

1. Start with [a]

Mouth open wide

Tongue low

2. Glide smoothly to [u]

Lips round

Tongue moves up and back

3. Keep the sound short and smooth

Closest English comparison:

• Similar to “ow” in cow

• But the Spanish sound is shorter and purer, without exaggeration

📌 Avoid turning it into a long English [aʊ].

Examples in Spanish:

• auto → [ˈau.to]

• causa → [ˈkau.sa]

• aula → [ˈau.la]

⚠️ If u has an accent (ú), it becomes two syllables:

• baúl → [baˈul]

Examples of words containing [au̯]
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 causa /ˈkau̯sa/ cause
2 aula /ˈau̯la/ classroom
3 aurora /au̯ˈɾoɾa/ dawn
4 auto /ˈau̯to/ car
5 pausa /ˈpau̯sa/ pause

Pronunciation

[eu̯]

In Spanish, [eu] is usually NOT a diphthong.It is typically pronounced as a hiatus (two syllables):

• [e] + [u]

• Each vowel keeps its own syllable

• No smooth glide like in diphthongs

How to pronounce it:

1. Say [e]

Mouth slightly open

Tongue mid-front

2. Brief pause

3. Say [u]

Lips rounded

Tongue high and back

📌 Do NOT merge them into “ew”.

Examples in Spanish:

• reunión → [re.uˈnjon]

• europeo → [eu.ɾoˈpe.o]

• neutro → [ˈnew.tɾo] ⚠️ (exception — see note)

Examples of words containing [eu̯]
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 deuda /ˈdeu̯ða/ debt
2 europa /eu̯ˈɾopa/ Europe
3 feudo /ˈfeu̯ðo/ feud
4 reuma /ˈreu̯ma/ rheumatism
5 reunión /reu̯niˈon/ meeting

Pronunciation

[ou̯]

In standard Spanish, [ou] is NOT a diphthong.It is normally pronounced as a hiatus (two syllables):

• [o] + [u]

• Each vowel keeps its own syllable

• No smooth glide like English ou

How to pronounce it:

1. Say [o]

Lips rounded

Tongue mid-back

2. Brief pause

3. Say [u]

Lips more tightly rounded

Tongue high and back

📌 Do NOT pronounce it like English “oh” or “ow”.

Examples in Spanish:

• cooperar → [ko.o.peˈɾaɾ]

• zoólogo → [θoˈo.lo.ɣo] / [soˈo.lo.ɣo]

prohibir (contrast) → [pɾo.iˈβiɾ] (shows separation)

Examples of words containing [ou̯]
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 bou /ˈbou̯/ bou (type of fishing boat)
2 clou /ˈklou̯/ highlight / main point
3 souvenir /sou̯βeˈniɾ/ souvenir
4 boutique /bou̯ˈtik/ boutique
Course Image

Greetings

This set of 100 Spanish expressions covers the most commonly used phrases for greetings, farewells, gratitude, encouragement, and polite social interaction in everyday communication.

For example:

  • Wishes like “Que tengas un buen día” (Have a good day)
  • Polite farewells like “Fue un placer conocerte” (It was a pleasure to meet you)
  • Caring expressions like “Cuídate” (Take care)
  • Friendly closings like “Un abrazo” (Hugs)

These short phrases carry strong emotional meaning and are an essential part of natural Spanish communication.

They also introduce important grammatical concepts such as:

  • Formal vs informal address (tú vs usted)
  • Subjunctive mood for wishes (Que tengas…)
  • Common fixed expressions used in daily speech

By learning these 100 expressions, learners can move beyond basic vocabulary and develop a more natural, warm, and culturally accurate way of speaking Spanish.

    Course Image

    Greetings

    This set of 100 Spanish expressions covers the most commonly used phrases for greetings, farewells, gratitude, encouragement, and polite social interaction in everyday communication.

    For example:

    • Wishes like “Que tengas un buen día” (Have a good day)
    • Polite farewells like “Fue un placer conocerte” (It was a pleasure to meet you)
    • Caring expressions like “Cuídate” (Take care)
    • Friendly closings like “Un abrazo” (Hugs)

    These short phrases carry strong emotional meaning and are an essential part of natural Spanish communication.

    They also introduce important grammatical concepts such as:

    • Formal vs informal address (tú vs usted)
    • Subjunctive mood for wishes (Que tengas…)
    • Common fixed expressions used in daily speech

    By learning these 100 expressions, learners can move beyond basic vocabulary and develop a more natural, warm, and culturally accurate way of speaking Spanish.

      Course Image

      Greetings

      This set of 100 Spanish expressions covers the most commonly used phrases for greetings, farewells, gratitude, encouragement, and polite social interaction in everyday communication.

      For example:

      • Wishes like “Que tengas un buen día” (Have a good day)
      • Polite farewells like “Fue un placer conocerte” (It was a pleasure to meet you)
      • Caring expressions like “Cuídate” (Take care)
      • Friendly closings like “Un abrazo” (Hugs)

      These short phrases carry strong emotional meaning and are an essential part of natural Spanish communication.

      They also introduce important grammatical concepts such as:

      • Formal vs informal address (tú vs usted)
      • Subjunctive mood for wishes (Que tengas…)
      • Common fixed expressions used in daily speech

      By learning these 100 expressions, learners can move beyond basic vocabulary and develop a more natural, warm, and culturally accurate way of speaking Spanish.