Reading and Pronunciation

Phonetics. Introduction Fonética. Introducción > [ʧ], [f] and [s] sounds

The letter H (hache, [`ache]) is never pronounced. It helps to distinguish between the words with the similar pronunciation, such as:

hola [`ola] – hellow
ola [`ola] – wave

The combination СH (ce hache) is pronounced like the English [ʧ] in chair.

The sound [f], similar to the English ph, is represented by the letter F (efe). Remember, there is no combination ph in Spanish:

Filosofía = Phylosophy

The sound [s] in Spain is pronounced between the English “s” and “sh”: the tip of the tongue is placed not on the the tooth ridge, but on the hard palate. This sound is represented by the letter S (ese), which is not voiced between two vowels, so there is no double ss in Spanish!!!

CORRECT: profesor
INCORRECT: professor

In Latin America, this sound is pronounced like the English “с” in cinema.