Spanish pronunciation lesson: How to say the letter “i” – Episode 62

Spanish pronunciation lesson: How to say the letter “i”

Podcast episode 62 – SEE ALL EPISODES

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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Today we’ve got another awesome pronunciation question.

See also: Maria’s step-by-step Spanish courses.

Today’s question comes from Mary, one of my Facebook followers. Mary sent me a message asking: “How do you pronounce the letter ‘i’ in Spanish? I never know whether to say it like in English.”

The letter ‘i’ in Spanish is often mispronounced. Even by learners at a very advanced level.

In theory, it’s a straightforward sound. But it’s too tempting to say it like in English. Especially when words look similar in both languages.

To help you get the letter ‘i’ always right, here is the golden rule on how to say it:

The Spanish ‘i’ sounds like this: i.

That’s the sound it has whether it comes at the beginning of a word, in the middle, or at the end..

The closest sound in English is that of the double ‘e’ in words like: deed and geek. Deed – geek.

Let’s practice saying 5 words that you’ll often hear in conversation. Repeat after me:

aire – air
amigo – friend
Asia – Asia
cafetería – cafeteria
Carolina – Carolina

Let’s say those 5 words again. Repeat after me.

And here are another 5 everyday words with an ‘i’. Repeat after me:

familia – family
Irlanda – Ireland
limón – lemon
siete – seven
televisión – television

Notice how I say the letter ‘i’ in those 5 words. Let’s say them once more:

aire – air
amigo – friend
Asia – Asia
cafetería – cafeteria
Carolina – Carolina

So, what’s the most common way to mispronounce the Spanish ‘i’?

In my experience as a Spanish teacher, the most common error is to say it like in the English word: China.

In Spanish, the word China is: China. With an “i” – China.

And what happens when you say the Spanish ‘i’ wrong? Well, most likely people will not understand you. It’s very difficult for Spanish speakers to understand words with the wrong vowel sounds.

Make sure you never say the Spanish ‘i’ like in the English word: China. Instead, remember the words: deed and geek.

To help you get the Spanish ‘i’ always right, let’s practice saying the 10 words you’re now familiar with. Repeat after me:

aire
amigo
Asia
cafetería
Carolina
familia
Irlanda
limón
siete
televisión

With these audio lessons, I want to help you develop a great Spanish accent. In future lessons we’ll go through the other vowels.

To recap, the Spanish ‘i’ always sounds like these: i.

Remember the English words: deed and geek.

For example:

aire
Carolina
familia
Irlanda
limón
siete

Have a look at
Maria’s step-by-step Spanish courses

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