Difference between revisions of "Language/Spanish/Pronunciation/Accents"
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It does not need a written accent to mark the intonation. The majority of Spanish words fall into this category. | It does not need a written accent to mark the intonation. The majority of Spanish words fall into this category. | ||
Examples: me-sa, za-pa-tos, pa-dre | Examples: '''me'''-sa, za-'''pa'''-tos, '''pa'''-dre | ||
* All other words that do not end in an s, n or a vowel and does not include written accent then carry the accent on the last syllable. | * All other words that do not end in an s, n or a vowel and does not include written accent then carry the accent on the last syllable. | ||
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It does not need a written accent. | It does not need a written accent. | ||
Examples: Co-mer, pa-pel, or-de-na-dor | Examples: Co-'''mer''', pa-'''pel''', or-de-na-'''dor''' | ||
* If the accent is marked on another syllable (for words not following the two previous rules), we then use a written accent to indicate the stressed syllable. | * If the accent is marked on another syllable (for words not following the two previous rules), we then use a written accent to indicate the stressed syllable. | ||
Examples: di-fí-cil, ár-bol (both words end with an l and should be part of the second category. As this is not the case, we must then place a written accent on the stressed syllable). | Examples: di-'''''fí'''''-cil, '''ár'''-bol (both words end with an l and should be part of the second category. As this is not the case, we must then place a written accent on the stressed syllable). | ||
It is the same when the accent falls on the penultimate syllable or the last such as with compound words. | It is the same when the accent falls on the penultimate syllable or the last such as with compound words. | ||
Examples: dí-me-lo (imperative and two pronouns), | Examples: '''dí'''-me-lo (imperative and two pronouns), du-'''chán'''-do-se (gerund and reflexive pronoun), los fan-'''tas'''-tic-co. | ||
There are exceptions to these rules for foreign words used in the Spanish language. | There are exceptions to these rules for foreign words used in the Spanish language. | ||
Revision as of 00:03, 2 October 2016
Let's learn how to use Spanish accents.
Written accents in Spanish, á, é, í, ó, ú are very useful to know where to put the tonic accent of the word.
Each word in Spanish includes a syllable which is more accentuated than the other: it is sometimes marked by a written accent.
Rules
The rules for where to put the accent and why to put it there, can be difficult for non Spanish native speakers.
- If the word ends in an s or n or one of five vowels a, e, i, o, u, stress is marked on the penultimate syllable.
It does not need a written accent to mark the intonation. The majority of Spanish words fall into this category.
Examples: me-sa, za-pa-tos, pa-dre
- All other words that do not end in an s, n or a vowel and does not include written accent then carry the accent on the last syllable.
It does not need a written accent.
Examples: Co-mer, pa-pel, or-de-na-dor
- If the accent is marked on another syllable (for words not following the two previous rules), we then use a written accent to indicate the stressed syllable.
Examples: di-fí-cil, ár-bol (both words end with an l and should be part of the second category. As this is not the case, we must then place a written accent on the stressed syllable).
It is the same when the accent falls on the penultimate syllable or the last such as with compound words.
Examples: dí-me-lo (imperative and two pronouns), du-chán-do-se (gerund and reflexive pronoun), los fan-tas-tic-co.
There are exceptions to these rules for foreign words used in the Spanish language.
There are other specific cases in the use of written accents in Spanish.
The letter ñ is a letter of the Spanish alphabet but is sometimes seen as an accent.
It changes the sound of the n as in español.
How to write the Spanish accents on your keyboard?
Spanish accents are an important aspect of spelling words: So be sure to write them.
Here is the list of shortcuts to use a keyboard that is not Spanish.
To do this, hold down the Alt key and type the number listed:
| Á | Alt + 0193 | á | Alt + 0225 |
| É | Alt + 0201 | é | Alt + 0233 |
| Í | Alt + 0205 | í | Alt + 0237 |
| Ó | Alt + 0211 | ó | Alt + 0243 |
| Ú | Alt + 0218 | ú | Alt + 0250 |
| Ñ | Alt + 0209 | ñ | Alt + 0241 |