Is there a trick to rolling your R's

Question

I can remember the words in Spanish and I can pick the ones I know from a list but when I try to speak any of them I sound horrible. I can roll my tongue without saying words but as soon as I speak the words that need the "R" roll, I sound dreadful. Is there any special techiqunes I could learn? I would like to learn to speak Spanish not mangle the language. Not having much luck. I really like this web site however I have learned more in a couple of weeks than I ever thought I would. Thank you all for your answers. They are much appreciated.

Answer 1

I don't necessarily know any tricks, but I do have some pronunciation advice.

It's very common for native English speakers to pronounce the "dr" and "tr" sounds exactly as they sound in English. So, this is how you would normally say the words "drive" or "treat."

However, these two sounds are a lot lighter in Spanish and they roll right off the tip of the tongue against the top teeth. So, we could practice these sounds with the words "madre" and "trabajar."

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/madre

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/trabajar

Watch the video clips to the right labeled "video translation." Don't listen to the other short audio clips, those aren't as effective. In the video, you can really hear how light the "t" and "d" really are. You can also hear how they roll their Rs with these sounds.

Some other advice, try to break down the words at a slow pace. Then, pronounce them faster.

so...co...RRo, so-co-RRo, socorro

Answer 2

First, the whole "rolling r" thing is vastly overstated. Don't worry too much about it. Many people never really get the knack of doing it, and are still understood when they speak.

One thing I think of is to remember that you can't really roll the "r" if your tounge is back in the mouth, as it is with the English 'r". Try to think of a "d" sound. That will position the tip of the tongue foreward and above the upper terth. Rolling the r's is much easier from that position. Other than that, just practice!

Answer 3

Try This

say an English R and then repeat this but first put the tip of your toungue about 1cm above the top of your upper teeth.

Answer 4

This has been answered many times before.

For me, it all made sense when I realized that rolling the "r" is just pronouncing both r's.

Per-ro.

The first one is soft, the second one harder.

Answer 5

This has been answered many times before.

For me, it all made sense when I realized that rolling the "r" is just pronouncing both r's.

Per-ro.

The first one is soft, the second one harder.

a guy pronouncing it.

Answer 6

Under 'Learn" -> Grammar -> Pronunciation there is a trick :

pronouncing Spanish letters

There are also quite a few old threads on this as it is asked often. Under Ask a Question, type in "rolling r's" in the search box under it and you'll find lots of answers.

I think it's easiest just to practice purring like a kitten. That sound is close to the rolled r.