A strange letter

Question

I noticed that the Spanish word for bilingual has a u with the double dot over it, ü. I think this is the first time I've seen this used in Spanish. How is it pronounced? How often is it used?

Answer 1

In English it is called either a diaeresis or an umlaut and it causes the 'u' between 'q' or 'g' and the vowels 'i' and 'e' to be pronounced.

Examples:

Bilingüe is pronounced "bee-LEEN-gway" Without the umlaut it would be "bilingue" "bee-LEEN-gay"

pingüino (penguin)= "peen-GWEEN-oh"

Without the diaeresis it would be "pinguino"= "peen-GHEEN-oh"

Que= "kay"

With a diaeresis, it would be qüe= "kway"

Answer 2

Your pronunciation of guapo is correct - it is only need with soft vowels like "e" You also find it in the conjugations of the Spanish verb for to embarrass (Avergonzar)

Answer 3

Thanks all. Now I have a follow up question, based on one of the links from aileribel. I've been pronouncing guapo (handsome) with the w and qué without the w. Have I been mispronouncing guapo, or have I been spelling it wrong?

No, you're doing fine. Try entering "guapo" into the Translate function on this site, and listen to the audio. The "gu" here is like a "w" with a bit of a stop in front. - rickharned, Feb 18, 2013

Answer 4

Guapo/guapa - ( goo-ah’-po, pah )

Answer 5

Hello! this and this might help you. ^^

Answer 6

Hi, welcome to the forum!

bilingüe - [e-leen’-goo-ay]

I'm not sure how common it is, I'm learning too.