►In some contexts, these voiced consonants are pronounced as stops1; i.e. as in ball, do, go.
►In other cases, they weaken into fricative2 sounds. For b/v and g, this involves producing sounds not found in Engish.
►For most speakers, b and v are pronounced the same (involving two lips, but no teeth).
Air flow blocked, then released.
Air flows between steadily between tongue and palate or between lips.
How These Consonants are Pronounced
Pronunciation of d
Context
Type of Sound
Examples
beginning of sentence; after pause
stop
¿Dónde está?
after n or l
stop
andando; molde; al doctor
other
fricative
ciudades; tarde; a Daniel
Pronunciation of "Hard" g
(Spelled ga, gue, gui, go, gu, but not ge, gimore)
Context
Type of Sound
Examples
beginning of sentence; after pause
stop
¡Gracias!
after n
stop
lenguas; en Galicia
other
fricative
regular; mucho gusto
Pronunciation of b/v*
beginning of sentence; after pause
stop
Buenos días. Vamos a comer.
after m, n
stop
cambiar; Quieren visitarnos.
other
fricative
Habla bien. Quiero verla.
*The labiodental [v] sound, as in English vivid, is used in some areas of Latin America. On the recording, only the bilabial (two-lip) sound is used, as this represents the most widespread usage.
Práctica
Click the►symbol. Following along with the script below, repeat after the speaker, noting the pronunciation of the b, d, and g sounds.
d
(stop)
derecho
difícil
decir
aprender
San Diego
son difíciles
(fricative)
adiós
nada
ciudades
Estados Unidos
gracias a Dios
no duermo
(mixed)
¿Dónde está Daniel? Daniel está detrás de Dolores.