What is the proper way to pronounce the "v" in Spanish?

Question

Before I started using this website I purchased a book called Spanish Demystified. It describes that there are two way to pronounce the "v" in Spanish: a hard "v" and a soft "v." Also, the book states that the "v" in never pronounced like the English "v." Here's some examples it gives: 1) vida contains a hard "v" (bee-dah), and 2) nave contains a soft "v" (nah-beh). However, it appears to me that the instruction videos on this site sound out an English "v" sound when the letter "v" is found in words. A perfect example is in "Lesson 1.5 - Languages, Countries, and Regular -ar and -ir Conjugations." The speaker seems to say "vivir" using the English "v." So, I'm a little puzzled about the correct way to say the "v" sound in Spanish. Is the English "v" sound used in Spain (as in vosotros), but not anywhere else?

Answer 1

If I am not mistaken (I've been know to be wrong) the "v" is pronounced like a "b", but I have also heard the "v" sound like in english used by native speakers. I would go with the "b" sound though. I hope this helps and I am sure the gurus will weigh in on this soon!!

Answer 2

Most Spanish words with a "v" in them have a "b" sound but some people do say these words with more of a hard "v" sound. I have heard many native speakers say it like a "b". I hope this was helpful.

Answer 3

Hi Gamble. This question has been asked many times before...take a look at this thread called B vs. V.

Answer 4

.........................How to Pronounce B and V..................................

Here is the emphatic statement made by Lazarus1907 in this ----> Pronounce "B" and "V" reply from July 25, 2009:

What is the proper distinction between the pronunciation of "v" and that of "b"? Is that different in Spain than in Latin America (not trying to lump them all together)?

The difference? None, zero, nil, they are the same sound: "b". The words "Bictor" (made up) and "Victor" sound 100% the same in standard Spanish. We don't have a separate sound for "v". This "v" sound is used only in areas where they speak another language or dialect where the sound exists, and they mix it, plus poor areas with poor education with strong English influence, where they make efforts to pronounce the "v" sound, because not knowing much about Spanish, and listening to foreigners, they think they are mispronouncing.

My parents told me that they had some French teachers when they were at school, and they insisted that they had to pronounce the "v" sound (which exists in French). They did it in class, but all those students stopped doing it as soon as they exited the class. To speak Spanish with a "v" sound gives a very weird foreign sound to us.

I have noticed since I began to learn Spanish, that it seems that all native speakers from the Americas that I have met (unless I am forgetting about one) pronounce them the same.

As it should be, and has been for at least the last 8 centuries.

My understanding is that members of the Span¡shD!ct community tend to accept the replies of Lazarus1907 as conclusive.

Recuerdos/Regards,

Moe