Roses are Red

Question

How do you roll your Rs? Whenever I try it comes out more like a hissing cat... and when you don't pronounce j (like in jose) is it pronounced differently than in hermana? ¡Gracias!

thx for helping guys! i think i got it down now!Grrrrrrrrrracias!!!! - kylahisabelle, Aug 7, 2010

Answer 1

How do you roll your Rs?

.... by experimenting, by singing and by mocking native Spanish speakers the way you did when you were a kid. (Obviously don't be mean - but do have fun)

and when you don't pronounce j

..... the Spanish "j" is somewhere between our "h" and something more "throaty/phlegmy". Can't describe it in words, listen to the people around you and imitate them.

hermana

..... the "h" is always silent. Pretend it doesn't exist, pretend it is invisible, ignore it, don't say it.

Answer 2

Try to purr with a cat! It can help.