Spanish Words That Look Like English

Spanish Words That Look Like English

1. Pay attention to the vowels: Spanish uses five vowels instead of English’s twelve. 2. Practice the rolled R sound: It’s a distinctive feature of the Spanish language. 3. Be aware of silent letters: Spanish has fewer silent letters than English. 4. Use the right stress: Spanish words are stressed differently than English words. 5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Native Spanish speakers will appreciate your efforts to learn their language.

How to Say Spanish Words That Look Like English in Spanish

Introduction

Learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging. If you’re an English speaker learning Spanish, you might notice that there are many words in Spanish that look similar to their English counterparts. However, the pronunciation can often be quite different. In this article, we will explore some common Spanish words that resemble English words and provide tips on how to say them correctly in Spanish.

Similarities and Differences

Spanish and English have shared vocabulary due to historical and linguistic influences. While some words may look almost identical, their pronunciation often differs significantly. It’s important to remember that Spanish follows consistent pronunciation rules, unlike English, where spelling and pronunciation can often be inconsistent.

Words Ending in -tion

Many English words ending in -tion have Spanish equivalents ending in -ción. However, the pronunciation of -ción in Spanish is different and should be pronounced as /θjɔn/. For example, education (educación), information (información), and pronunciation (pronunciación) are common words in which the ending -tion corresponds to -ción in Spanish.

Words with “H”

In Spanish, the letter “h” is always silent. Therefore, words in Spanish that look similar to English but have an “h” should be pronounced without it. For instance, hospital (ospital), hotel (otel), and humor (umor) are pronounced without the “h” sound.

False Cognates

False cognates are words that look similar in both languages but have completely different meanings. It’s crucial to be aware of these words to avoid confusion. For example, “actual” in Spanish means “current” rather than “actual” as it’s understood in English. Similarly, “embarazada” means “pregnant” and not “embarrassed.” Always double-check the meaning of words to avoid misunderstandings.

Words With “J”

In Spanish, the letter “j” is pronounced differently from its English counterpart. It is similar to the English “h” sound, such as in “hat.” For example, the Spanish word “jalapeño” is pronounced as /hah-lah-peh-nyo/, not /ja-luh-peen-oh/. Other examples include “jugo” (/hoo-goh/) for juice and “jirafa” (/hee-rah-fah/) for giraffe.

Words with “V”

The Spanish letter “v” has a pronunciation similar to the English “b” sound. Therefore, words with “v” in Spanish should be pronounced as if they had a “b” instead. For instance, the word “ventana” (window) is pronounced as /ben-tah-nah/. Similarly, “vocabulario” (vocabulary) is pronounced as /boh-ka-bee-loh-ree-oh/.

Conclusion

When learning Spanish, it’s essential to be aware of the similarities and differences between Spanish and English words. Although many Spanish words may look similar to their English counterparts, their pronunciation can be quite different. By understanding and practicing the correct pronunciation of these words, you can communicate effectively in Spanish and improve your language skills. Remember to pay attention to specific rules, such as the silent “h” and the different pronunciation of certain letters. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

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