Pronunciation of Spanish Consonants

• B is pronounced much more lightly than in English, with no pressure of
  the lips, as Libro (book), Brevedad (brevity).

• C is pronounced "K" as in English, as Caja (case, box), Color (colour), Cúbico (cubic). Before "E" and "I," pronounced as "th" in "theatre," as La Cena (the supper), La Cerveza (the beer) (Spain only). Before "E" and "I," pronounced as "c" in "cigarette" (Latin America).

• Ch always as "ch" in "church" (never hard as in "monarch"), as
  Chocolate (chocolate), Charla (prattle).

• D at the end of a word or after a vowel is pronounced very softly and
  lightly, with a tinge of "th" in "they," as Madrid, Amado (loved),
  Encarnado (red).

• G before "E" and "I" is pronounced guttural, as El general (the
  general), El giro (the draft, bill). This sound is equal to "ch" in the
  Scotch word "loch." In all other cases G is pronounced hard, as in the
  English word "gay"; as Gato (cat), Gobierno (government), Gusto
  (pleasure, taste).

• H is a mute letter. (Although in Andalusia it is aspirated in certain
  words.)

• J is always guttural, as Juan (John), Jornalero (day labourer), Junio
  (June), Reloj (watch, clock).

• Ll is "ly", stronger than "li" in "pavilion," as Belleza (beauty), Folleto
  (leaflet).

• Ñ is ny, stronger than "ni" in "pinion," as Niño (child), Caña (cane), El
  otoño (autumn).

• Q is only used before "ue" and "ui" (and the "u" is then mute), as
  Querido (dear, beloved), Yo quiero (I want).

• R as in English, but it is always rolled, as Caro (dear, expensive),
  Pérdida (loss). At the beginning of a word or when preceded by a
  consonant it is rolled more strongly, as La rosa (the rose), Deshonra
  (dishonour).

• Rr always rolled strongly, as Carro (cart), El ferrocarril (the
  railway).

• S always pronounced as "s" in "soap," and never as in "as" or "sure."

• T as in "tea," but never as "t" in "nation." It must be pronounced
  softly, not explosive, as Fortuna (fortune), Cuatro (four).

• V is pronounced much more lightly than in English, as Vino (wine), Vivir
  (to live). By the common people "V" is often confounded with "B," but
  educated Spaniards will always make the proper distinction.

• Y is the Spanish "I."

• Z is "th" in "theatre," as Zarazas (cotton prints), Zorra (fox).

K and W are only found in foreign words used in Spanish.