accent marks?

Question

how do you know when to put the accent marks in the words?

por ejemplo: diagnóstico

Look in the lessons or in the reference articles.:) - ian-hill, Feb 2, 2013

where are reference articles? - Blair90, Feb 2, 2013

Click on "Categories" in the Q&A and then scroll down. - rac1, Feb 3, 2013

Answer 1

Here's a beginning: In Spanish words that end with a vowell, or the letters "n" or "s" are accented (stressed) on the next to the last syllable: hablo, once, tienes, hablan.
If the accent (stress) falls on another syllable you need to write an accent over the syllable that is stressed: Perú, único, César, pájaro.

Words that end in a consonant (except "n" or "s" of course) are accented on the last syllable. Habar, tener, capaz. If the accent (stress) falls on another syllable you need to write an accent over the syllable that is stressed: fácil, lápiz, Hernández.

Answer 2

have number lock on and press "Alt" then press "1" then "3" then "0" and let go then out comes é do the same for the others "Alt" then press 160=á "Alt" then press 161=í "Alt" then press 162= ó "Alt" then press 163=ú "Alt" then press 164=ñ "Alt" then press 165=Ñ "Alt" then press 168=¿

This is not what was asked but this is good information for typing the caracters not found on an English keyboad. Thanks! - Jubilado, Feb 3, 2013

Answer 3

Listen to Paralee´s lesson 4.10 - Flowers, Accents & Tildes. Even if you can´t follow the Spanish, the rules are pretty clear.