Spanish Alphabet: Letters, Sounds & Pronunciation Basics

Learn the Spanish alphabet, the letter ñ, vowel sounds, tricky consonants and how letters connect to clear pronunciation.

Spanish alphabet with letters, sounds and pronunciation basics
The Spanish alphabet is the starting point for pronunciation, spelling and confident reading.

Why learn the Spanish alphabet with MundoDele?

MundoDele teaches the alphabet as a practical entry point into real Spanish. You learn letters together with sound, spelling and speaking rhythm, so the alphabet becomes useful for reading aloud, understanding names and building pronunciation.

How does the Spanish alphabet work?

Spanish spelling is more consistent than English. Once you know the main letters and sound patterns, you can read many new words with confidence.

1. Spanish has 27 letters

The Spanish alphabet includes the 26 basic Latin letters plus ñ.

a, b, c ... n, ñ, o ... z

2. Ñ is a separate letter

The letter ñ has its own sound and is not the same as n.

año = year · ano = anus

3. Vowels are short and clear

Spanish vowels usually keep a stable sound: a, e, i, o, u.

casa · mesa · vino · solo · luna

4. H is normally silent

The letter h is written but usually not pronounced.

hola · hablar · hotel

5. B and V often sound similar

In many varieties of Spanish, b and v are pronounced very similarly.

beber · vivir · Valencia

6. Letter combinations matter

ch, ll and rr are no longer separate alphabet letters, but they are still important sounds.

chico · llave · perro

Common mistakes with the Spanish alphabet

  • Confusing n and ñ: ano and año are completely different words.
  • Pronouncing h: hola begins with a silent h.
  • Using English vowel sounds: Spanish vowels are shorter and more stable.
  • Ignoring rr: pero and perro have different meanings.
  • Thinking ch and ll are separate letters today: they are important sound combinations, not separate letters in the modern alphabet.

Exercises: Spanish alphabet

Try the tasks first. The answers are hidden so you can check yourself after practicing.

Exercise 1: Identify the special Spanish letter

Look at each word and decide whether it contains the separate Spanish letter ñ.

  1. niño
  2. noche
  3. año
  4. mano
  5. señor
Show answer key
  1. niño — contains ñ
  2. noche — no ñ
  3. año — contains ñ
  4. mano — no ñ
  5. señor — contains ñ

Exercise 2: Silent h or pronounced first sound?

Decide whether the first written letter is silent or pronounced. Then read the words aloud.

  1. hola
  2. hotel
  3. casa
  4. hablar
  5. mesa
Show answer key
  1. hola — h is silent
  2. hotel — h is silent
  3. casa — first sound is pronounced
  4. hablar — h is silent
  5. mesa — first sound is pronounced

Exercise 3: Match letters and sound patterns

Match each word with the sound pattern you should notice: ñ, silent h, rr, or clear vowel rhythm.

  1. perro
  2. mañana
  3. hola
  4. casa
Show answer key
  1. perro — rr
  2. mañana — ñ
  3. hola — silent h
  4. casa — clear vowel rhythm

Exercise 4: Read the words aloud

Read each group aloud. Focus on stable Spanish vowels and avoid English-style vowel shifts.

  1. casa · mapa · sala
  2. mesa · leche · verde
  3. vino · amigo · cinco
  4. luna · uno · mundo
Show practice notes

Spanish vowels stay short and clear. Do not stretch them into English-style diphthongs.

Spanish pronunciation
Turn letters into real sounds and speaking rhythm. Accents and stress
Learn how written accents show stress and meaning. Spanish capitalization
Understand capital letters, names and written Spanish conventions.

Want personal guidance?

The alphabet is simple, but pronunciation needs practice. Individual guidance can help you connect letters, sounds and real speaking from the beginning.

Private Spanish Lessons Spanish Tutoring Intensive Course

FAQ: Spanish alphabet

How many letters are in the Spanish alphabet?

The modern Spanish alphabet has 27 letters: the 26 basic Latin letters plus ñ.

Is ñ a separate letter in Spanish?

Yes. Ñ is a separate letter and represents a different sound from n.

Are ch and ll separate letters in Spanish?

In the modern alphabet, ch and ll are not separate letters, but they remain important sound combinations.

Is the Spanish h silent?

Yes. The letter h is normally silent in Spanish, as in hola and hablar.

Why is the alphabet useful for pronunciation?

Spanish spelling and sound are relatively consistent, so learning the alphabet helps you read, pronounce and spell new words more confidently.

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