If you want to say the word “alphabet” in Spanish, you would say “alfabeto” or “el alfabeto.” The actual alphabet itself contains the same letters as in English, with just three more you’ll need to remember: ch (chay), ll (elle), and ñ (eñe).
Getting Spanish down can feel intimidating to some, but it is doable if you can commit the time and effort. This is especially true for those who speak languages like English, French, or Italian. When languages come from the same root or “mother tongue” they’ll generally share words that are directly related to one another (cognates) or have fairly obvious similarities because they are directly linked to the same earlier language. While English is considered a Germanic language, it’s been profoundly influenced by Latin and related languages, including Spanish. That’s why you’ll find English words like “fruit” that sound remarkably similar in French (fruit), Italian (frutta), and Spanish (fruta). In addition to the highly familiar-sounding vocab and spelling, you’re sure to notice that Spanish also has a consistent system of pronunciation. There are few irregularities—especially compared to English and many other languages.
Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion® methodology teaches you the language, not just the words. What makes it effective is that we prepare you to use your new language in your everyday life. So it’s not just about the features, but what you’re able to do because of them. That way, you’ll be ready to handle situations with ease and confidence.
Learn Spanish Words and Phrases
Some individuals embark on their journey to learn Spanish because they encounter the language in their everyday lives. After all, Spanish very often pops up in our music, TV shows, and movies. Other people make the commitment to learn Spanish due to future plans to work, volunteer, or vacation in one of the 20 countries around the world for which Spanish is the official language.
Whether your reason for learning Spanish is based on business or pleasure, you can get off to a strong start by focusing first on what matters most. And that is learning basic Spanish words and phrases and how to pronounce them. It is the key to understanding and conversing with any of the estimated 437 million people who speak Spanish fluently.
Some new learners get overwhelmed trying to memorize long lists of vocabulary words and phrases. This time-consuming and tedious approach can lead to the undesired outcome not understanding or being understood in everyday, real-world Spanish conversation. That’s why it’s so important to understand and accurately pronounce basic words and phrases. This practical approach to learning Spanish will help you to become comfortable and confident conversing in Spanish everyday.
It’s worth noting that Spanish does have some pronunciation distinctions that can make it a challenge for language learners. As one example, the letter r is pronounced differently and takes some practice for most new learners. This distinct sound is formed by tapping the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth, about a third of the way back in the mouth. Some Spanish language experts suggest new Spanish learners practice making the “tt” sound, as it sounds in the English word butter.
Acquiring the ability to properly pronounce Spanish will require that you get immediate and accurate feedback on your efforts to speak Spanish. Instant and precise feedback will give you the means to make any needed corrections to your pronunciation. Then, after you have the pronunciation down, you’ll want to practice until you can readily make the specific sounds of spoken Spanish.
Rosetta Stone helps you get the pronunciation just right in a snap with TruAccent. Our patented speech engine instantly compares your voice to native and non-native speakers, so you get real-time feedback for the most accurate pronunciation. It’s also adjustable, which allows you to fine-tune your accent. TruAccent is among the most powerful tools for helping you learn and speak the Spanish language.
After you have acquired the basic building blocks of the language, you will be ready to learn longer Spanish phrases that make up much of everyday Spanish conversation. Rosetta Stone’s bite-sized, 10-minute Spanish lessons are designed to lead you along this natural path to language learning. With Rosetta Stone you’ll first focus on learning Spanish basics, then move onto learning longer phrases, and then transition into learning to comfortably understand and confidently speak in Spanish.
Try Our Award-Winning App
Surround yourself with Spanish whenever, wherever with the Rosetta Stone app .
Download a unit and knock it out on the train or a flight. Select a 5-10 minute lesson and sneak it in while you wait in line or for your ride to show up. And explore dynamic features, like Seek and Speak, where you can point at an object in the real world and get a translation .
The best part? You don’t have to choose between app or desktop. Both come with your subscription and sync, so you can switch between devices seamlessly.
