Do you know what Spanish diphthongs are? In this lesson, we will learn how to pronounce correctly when there are two or more vowels in the same syllable, as you probably have already noticed, which happens very often in Spanish. First, look at the example on the right, the difference between a syllable and a diphthong, for instance.
Diphthongs in Spanish
Diphthongs (diptongos in Spanish) are a combination of one strong (a, e, o) and one weak vowel (i, u), or of two weak vowels. Diphthongs are counted as one syllable. It may not be separated unless the weak vowel bears a written accent called “tilde”:
| ai, ay | aire, hay | pronounce like “eye” |
| ei, ey | reino, ley | pronounce like “may” |
| oi, oy | oigo, hoy | pronounce like “toy” |
| iu | triunfo, ciudad | pronounce like “you” |
| ui, uy | cuidar, muy | pronounce like “Louie” |
| ue | hueso, muerte | pronounce like “west” |
| au | jaula, Paula | pronounce like “now” |
| eu | feudal, reuma | pronounce like “eh + oo” |
| ia | estudiamos | pronounce like “yacht” |
| ie | miel, quiero | pronounce like “ye” |
| ua | cuatro, mensual | pronounce like “watt” |
| uo | cuota, antiguo | pronounce like “quota” |
Notice that many Spanish irregular verbs have diphthongs: quiero, siento, duermo, juego…
What is a Spanish triphthong?
The combination of a stressed strong vowel between two weak vowels that forms a single syllable is a triphthong (triptongo in Spanish). There are only four possible combinations of triphthongs in Spanish:
| iai | estudiáis | pronounce like “yipe” |
| iei | estudiéis | pronounce like “yea” |
| uai (uay) | continuáis, Paraguay | pronounce like “wine” |
| uei (uey) | continuéis, buey | pronounce like “wade” |
How to break a diphthong or triphthong
If the weak vowel is stressed, there is a separation called hiato in Spanish, these are not diphthongs: ca-í-da, dí-a, rí-en, Ma-rí-a, tí-os, re-í-mos, re-ú-ne…
It is also a hiatus when the combination of two strong vowels is separated: ca-e-mos, re-a-li-dad, le-en, em-ple-o, a-e-ro-pla-no…
Pronouncing vowels correctly in Spanish is extremely important, but not always easy. I’ve included a video below that will be very helpful. Remember that practice makes perfect, and by repeating, you’ll achieve your goals.
Practice Spanish diphthongs and triphthongs.
Now we’re going to practice everything with an exercise. Just listen and write the word in the crossword; all of them have diphthongs or triphthongs. Please leave us a message in the comments if you have any questions. Our teams will be happy to help you.
Spanish diphthongs pronunciation
Spanish pronunciation is not difficult, but it needs some practice. Listen and repeat as many times as you can the words in this video, paying special attention to the vowels and diphthongs.
Take an individual tutorship if you want to practice and improve the diphthongs and in general the Spanish pronunciation.