Lugar? g is pronounced like a g ?

Question

It sounds like the computer translators all sound the "G" sound in lugar. So in this word, the G is not pronounced like "H"?

What is the rule as to when you pronounce the Gs?

Thanks

Muchas Gracias! - RachelC, Jun 18, 2012

Answer 1

Good question!

• When G is followed by E or I, you pronounce it like soft H (gente, gitano)

• When G is followed by A, O or U, you pronounce it like a hard G in "girl" (gato, gusto, gracias).

• GUE and GUI - you don't pronounce the U (it's silent in these cases) and the G sounds hard like in "girl" (guerra, guitarra),

Answer 2

Also, when you add and umlaut above the u (ü) in words with gue and gui, it makes the w sound. Ex: bilingüe.