Pronunciation of "U" in Spanish

Question

Hello everyone.

I know that the "u" is pronounced in many words as a diphthong, as in "Agua" (A-gwa).

However, I also wonder if the "u" in Spanish is sometimes silent. Specifically, after the letter "q" and in the combinations of "gue" and "gui."

So, the "u" would be silent in the following words, yes?

Quitar (Kee-tar)

Quieto (Kee-eh-to)

Sigue (See-gay)

Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

Hi Crazy. Welcome to the forum.

That's exactly right. The "u" is silent after "q" and "gue" and "gui."

Hope to see you around

¡Muy simpática! - Goyo, JUL 4, 2010

Thank you, Marianne for your quick answer. - crazy_for_sugar, JUL 4, 2010

Answer 2

To add to what Marianne has said, if such a "u" is supposed to be pronounced, it will have two dots over it like this ü. The dots are a diacritical mark called a dieresis.

The dieresis is placed over the u when it pronounced after a g in the combinations güe and güi.

Pengüin is an example, and vergüenza.

In Spanish the word is "diéresis" Here is a list of such words.

¡Que informativa! - Goyo, JUL 4, 2010

Thank you very much, Janice. - crazy_for_sugar, JUL 4, 2010