Proper pronunciation of Usted

Question

I use it like I read it and hear it sometimes oo-sted, but in my rosetta stone application, I can swear it is being pronounced in the audio as oo-stel , am I hearing things or is the D at the end just so soft that it sounds like a L? Which is the better way to pronounce it to sound more like a native speeker, With a hard D or a L sound?

Answer 1

Here is an audio clip from SpanishDict.

It is very interesting that you mentioned this. I am not a native speaker, but I believe it would sound more natural to make a soft 'd' sound that doesn't completely finish (I know, not a clear description). I definitely wouldn't make the 'd' sound hard. Also, I don't think it's like a 'l' sound either, but I can see where you get that feel.

When I first began learning Spanish, the native who taught me Spanish taught me some important rules about the 'd' in Spanish.

1) When it falls between two vowels, it almost makes a 'th' sound like in English. However, it's a little more faint and not as pronounced.

2) At the end of a word, it is very subtle like you have pointed out and can even be dropped.

This speaker was from Ecuador, though, so take note that this may not be true for all. However, this is something I notice with almost all Spanish speakers.

Answer 2

Spanish consonants are often spoken softly compared to an English pronunciation.

You could pronounce it "usteth" or "uste' " and be understood.

Because the "e" is short and sharp the "d" is almost surplus to requirements as is the "t" in "get".