What does the ü mean?

Question

Hello,

I'm new to spanish, what does the ü mean? I know the regular tilde things but this one is a little different with the dots on the top.

Gracias!

Answer 1

The "ü" (u with diaeresis) is a letter that makes a sound resembling a "w", such as in:

• pingüino

-nicaragüense

-güera (*different from guerra)

Answer 2

Hi, welcome to the forum. Just because when you write a word like "Guerra" the "u" isn't pronounced. To pronounce it , the "ü" is put instead of "u" For example "Nicaragüense"... It's pronounced as if it were an ordinary "u" which comes after a "g" and before a consonant.. (surely in Spanish.. )

You mean before a vowel, not a consonant. - jalex341, Mar 28, 2016

Answer 3

Regarding the "ü" (umlaut in English and diéresis in Spanish) - long answer, but stick with me, and it will be clear. It's really all about being able to have a new rule to break basic rules.

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BASIC RULES - In Spanish, the "g" can make two different sounds, it all depends on what letter follows the *"g".****

• When "g" is followed by 'a', 'o', or 'u' (or any consonant) it will have a hard sound like the English "g" in game.
  gato - cat, gota - drop, gustar- to like, gracias - thank you

• When "g" is followed by 'e' or 'i'** it will make a soft sound somewhat similar to the English "h" in *hot.

  gemelo- twin, girar - to turn, to spin

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• But, what if we want the hard sound that the "g" makes, but we also want the **'e' or 'i'* sound to follow? This problem is solved by inserting an ordinary "u", which will make no sound; it's only purpose is to allow a soft "g" sound to become a hard "g" sound when using 'e' and 'i'.

guerra - war, guitarra - guitar

• But ... what if we want the hard "g" sound, with a "u" that is pronounced to follow, and the 'e'or 'i' sound following that?, That's when we employ the "ü" Here are examples: güero - fair-haired(blond), güiro -gourd
• other examples - vergüenza, lingüística, bilingüe

*******So, in a nutshell - you add the umlaut (diéresis) to either 'gui' or 'gue' when we want a hard "g", followed by a pronounced "u" sound, then followed by either an *'e' or 'i'.. You will never need a 'ü with "gua" or "guo"*****

Welcome to SpanishDict. This is an old thread, but thanks for the information.. - rac1, May 20, 2017

Why not open a new thread with this? :) - rac1, May 20, 2017

Are you learning Spanish or passing on your knowledge? Welcome to the forum - Mardle, May 20, 2017

Answer 4

Another question thread gives good explanation here. The double-dot is known as a diaeresis.

Except for Umlaut is the German term, not the Spanish (diéresis) or English one (diaeresis). - lazarus1907, Nov 3, 2010

Oops... That's right. Thanks. - pesta, Nov 3, 2010

While it's true that umlaut is German, most English speakers either don't know the name, or call it an umlaut because they know it from the names of heavy metal bands. - KevinB, Nov 3, 2010

Gee! I always thought my spouse's family were umlauts. :) - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, May 20, 2017

Answer 5

What about with the words buen and bueno?

We don't pronounce those BAYN or BAY-no, but BWAYN/BWEN or BWAY-no(BWEN-oh)... or am I just saying these wrong?

Or perhaps, this is just for -gui and -gue words..

Normally G followed by E or I is similar to the English H sound, (close your eyes, Lazarus) gente = HEN-tay, Gira = HEE-rah. If you want the hard G sound before E or I you add a U after the G, like guerra, and you don't pronounce the U. - KevinB, Nov 3, 2010

If you want to pronounce the U after the G, you add the double dots - güera. No other consonant needs this hoopla. - KevinB, Nov 3, 2010

Haha, ok. That clears things up. Thank you :) - Goldie_Miel, Nov 3, 2010

U after G without the dots is the only silent letter in Spanish. - KevinB, Nov 3, 2010

Okie Doke :) - Goldie_Miel, Nov 3, 2010

U after Q too - jalex341, Mar 28, 2016

Answer 6

Oh sí, gracias. Ahora yo comprendo. :D So the word bilingüe you would pronounce the "u"! Gracias!