The Spanish Alphabet

What Are the Letters of the Spanish Alphabet?

The majority of the letters in Spanish have their own special names (some even have more than one!) and people use them all the time when spelling out words.

Below you'll find all 27 letters of the abecedario and their names, along with an example word for each.

How Do You Pronounce the Spanish Alphabet?

While the majority of the letters in Spanish are always pronounced the same way, there are a few whose pronunciation changes depending on the letters with which they combine. Let's take a look at some of the trickier combinations.

Ge Before a Vowel

When ge comes before i or e, it's pronounced like a raspy English h.

• gente(people)
• Gibraltar(Gibraltar)

Before other vowels (a, o, u), it's pronounced like the g in English good.

• gol(goal)
• guapo(handsome)
• gato(cat)

Ce Before hache

When ce comes before hache, it's pronounced like the ch in English cheese.

• chícharo(pea)
• chicharra(cicada)

Double ele

When two eles appear together, they can be pronounced like the y in English yellow, the j in English judge, or the sh in English show, depending on what country you're in.

• llamar(to call)
• valle(valley)

Double erre

When two erres appear together, they are trilled (the sound you make when you roll your tongue). A single erre at the beginning of a word is also trilled.

• carro(car)
• burro(donkey)
• rojo(red)

Equis Marks the Spot

The equis is usually pronounced like the ks in English socks. However, in place and person names (especially those from Mexico), it can be pronounced like a raspy English h, an s, or even the sh in English show.

Check out these examples:

• Like the ks in English socks: examen(exam)
• Like a raspy English h: México(Mexico)
• Like an s: Xochimilco(Xochimilco, a neighborhood in Mexico City)
• Like sh in English show Xicalango(Xicalango, a town in Mexico)

Let's finish up by seeing how the abecedario is used in everyday life!