Learning a new language can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it often comes with its own set of challenges. For Spanish speakers embarking on the journey of mastering the English language, one of the most common stumbling blocks is pronunciation.
English and Spanish differ in numerous ways, from vocabulary and grammar to, most notably, sounds and phonetics. In this article, we will explore 25 of the hardest English words for Spanish speakers to pronounce. Whether it's the enigmatic "th" sound , intricate consonant clusters, or unfamiliar diphthongs, these words have posed difficulties for many learners.
We'll delve into these obstacles and provide insights, tips, and guidance to help Spanish speakers overcome these pronunciation challenges, enhancing their English language proficiency by focusing on particularly challenging words for Spanish speakers. Continue reading to discover the trickiest words and how to pronounce them, and get started with your 7-day free trial on the BoldVoice app to practice these words (and much more) in real-time with instant feedback on your pronunciation.
1. Literature
Definition: Written works, especially those considered to have artistic or intellectual value.
Phonetic: [ˈlɪtərətʃər]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by adding an extra syllable, pronouncing it like "lit-uh-ra-tour-ay." The initial syllable can be a challenge as well, with Spanish speakers having a tendency to lengthen the first “i” and making an "EE" sound instead of an "IH." This incorrectly transforms the word into “leet-uh-ra-tour.”
Challenging Sounds: The short "IH" sound in the “lit” part of “literature" is a quick and crisp sound made with a relaxed tongue and mouth. It's a single, short vowel sound.
Tips/Activities: Practice the short English “IH” sound by repeating minimal pairs, like “sit” and “seat” or “fit” and “feet.” Listen to native speakers and imitate their pronunciation.
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2. Daughter
Definition: A female child.
Phonetic: [ˈdɔtər]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers might mispronounce this word by adding an extra "gh" sound, making it sound like "daw-ghuh-ter."
Challenging Sounds: The challenge with this word is the discrepancy between the spelling and the pronunciation. Incorporate reading activities alongside pronunciation practice to master the relationship between spelling and pronunciation in English.
Tips/Activities: Read song lyrics as you listen along to the song, or listen to podcasts as you read the transcripts. Explore these 35 English pronunciation rules and pay attention to the spelling of words versus how you hear them pronounced by native speakers.
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3. Schedule
Definition: A plan for carrying out a process or procedure, often with specified times and activities.
Phonetic: [ˈskedʒ.uːl]
Take a look at this Word of the Day video where BoldVoice Coach Ron outlines everything you need to know when it comes to pronouncing this tricky word:
VIDEO
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by pronouncing the "ch” as in “chair.”
Challenging Sounds: The "ch” portion of “schedule” is actually pronounced as “K” in American English, resulting in the pronunciation “sked-jul.”
Tips/Activities: Refine pronunciation with expert videos and receive instant pronunciation feedback through exercises on the BoldVoice app .
4. Focus
Definition: The center of interest or attention.
Phonetic: [ˈfoʊkəs]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers might mispronounce this word by pronouncing it like "fow-kus" with an "OW" sound, as in the word “cow.”
Challenging Sounds: The correct "OH" sound (as in “go”) can be tricky for native Spanish speakers to master. In fact, vowel sounds in general are challenging for non-native English speakers - that's why we created this comprehensive guide to mastering vowel sounds in English .
Tips/Activities: Practice using minimal pairs, such as “no” and “now.” Repeat these words in front of a mirror to ensure the correct mouth and tongue positioning for the "OH" sound.
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5. Jewelry
Definition: Personal ornaments, such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets, typically made of gemstones, precious metals, or other materials.
Phonetic: [ˈdʒuːəlri]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by inserting an extra syllable and saying "jew-el-ree."
Challenging Sounds: The initial "J" sound can be challenging for Spanish speakers, who tend to pronounce it as more of a “Y” sound.
Tips/Activities: Practice the English "J" sound, which is pronounced with the tongue against the roof of the mouth. Also pay attention to the flow of the word, noting that native English speakers pronounce it with just two syllables - “jewl-ree.”
VIDEO
6. Choir
Definition: A group of singers who perform together, typically in a church or other religious setting.
Phonetic: [kwaɪr]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by adding an extra syllable and saying "choir-uh."
Challenging Sounds: Spanish has a more limited set of diphthongs compared to English. The "ai" diphthong is not as common in Spanish, so Spanish speakers may not be accustomed to the specific transition between the "AH" and "EE" sounds within a single syllable.
Tips/Activities: Focus on the correct pronunciation of the "ai" diphthong, working on correct mouth and tongue positioning.
VIDEO
7. Strengthen
Definition: Make or become stronger.
Phonetic: [ˈstreŋθən]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by misplacing the stress and saying "stren-THEN."
Challenging Sounds: The placement of stress and the "gth" combination can be challenging. Spanish speakers may not be familiar with the "gth" sequence.
Tips/Activities: Practice placing the stress on the first syllable, "streng-" and pronounce the "gth" sound as "strength." This combination is common in English and can be practiced separately.
8. Ship
Definition: A large watercraft that travels on the sea or other bodies of water.
Phonetic: [ʃɪp]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by elongating the vowel sound, resulting in the word sounding like “sheep” rather than “ship.”
Challenging Sounds: The short vowel sounds in English can be challenging for Spanish speakers, particularly the short “IH” found in words like “fit,” “sip,” and “thrill.”
Tips/Activities: Focus on the short “i” sound and practice tongue twisters featuring that sound. Fine-tune pronunciation with minimal pairs activities , such as differentiating between “fill” and “feel.”
VIDEO
9. Joke
Definition: A humorous story, phrase, or anecdote intended to make people laugh.
Phonetic: [dʒoʊk]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by pronouncing it like "yoke.”
Challenging Sounds: The initial "J" sound can be challenging, as Spanish speakers may not be used to this sound.
Tips/Activities: Practice the English "J" sound, which is made with the tongue against the roof of the mouth. Pay attention to the correct initial sound in "joke."
10. Fifths
Definition: The ordinal number for the number five in a series.
Phonetic: [fɪfθs]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may struggle with the "F" and "th" sounds in sequence, and may mispronounce this word as "fiths."
Challenging Sounds: The "F" and "th" sounds are both challenging. The unvoiced "th" sound is uncommon in Spanish.
Tips/Activities: Practice the English "th" sound, which can be voiced /ð/ (as in "this") or voiceless /θ/ (as in "think"). For "fifths," it's voiceless /θ/. Place the tip of your tongue against your top front teeth.
Once you master these sounds in isolation, bring them together and practice the cluster “fth.”
VIDEO
11. Very
Definition: To a high degree; truly; extremely.
Phonetic: [ˈvɛri]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers might pronounce this as "berry" because the English "V" sound typically does not exist in Spanish.
Challenging Sounds: The initial "V" sound can be challenging for Spanish speakers.
Tips/Activities: Focus on the English "V" sound, which is pronounced by gently bringing the lower lip in contact with the upper teeth while pushing air out. Practice using “V”-based tongue twisters to perfect the sound and have fun along the way.
12. Project
Definition: A planned undertaking or task, often involving a specific goal or objective.
Phonetic: [ˈprɒdʒɛkt]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may struggle with the “J" sound and say "pro-yekt."
Challenging Sounds: The "J" sound can be challenging. Spanish speakers might not be used to the English “J.”
Tips/Activities: Practice the English "J" sound, which is pronounced with the tongue against the roof of the mouth. Record yourself practicing to notice errors and fine-tune pronunciation as you track your progress.
13. Stop
Definition: Come to a halt; cease moving or performing an action.
Phonetic: [stɒp]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers might have difficulty with the initial "st" blend and may say "estop."
Challenging Sounds: The "st" blend can be challenging. Spanish speakers might not be used to the initial "ST" sound, since words in Spanish don’t begin with “s” + another consonant.
Tips/Activities: Work on the "st" blend by emphasizing the “S” sound until you pronounce it without adding an “e” to the start. Once you achieve correct pronunciation with a single word, practice using it in sentences.
Not sure if you're doing it right? Download the BoldVoice app for instant feedback on your pronunciation practice!
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14. Worcestershire
Definition: A type of sauce often used in cooking, particularly in English cuisine.
Phonetic: [ˈwʊstərʃɪr]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may find the combination of letters in this word difficult to pronounce, leading to various mispronunciations (don’t feel bad - many native English speakers struggle with this word, too!).
Challenging Sounds: The combination of letters, particularly "cester," can be challenging for non-native speakers. The "R" sound is notoriously difficult for Spanish speakers to pronounce, and the unstressed syllables might also pose difficulties.
Tips/Activities: Break the word down into smaller parts and practice each part separately. Pay attention to the correct placement of stress and the pronunciation of the "R" sound - for a complete overview of the English "R," visit our blog How to Pronounce the "American R" as a Spanish Native Speaker . Listening to native speakers say the word can also be very helpful.
VIDEO
15. Synthesize
Definition: To combine different elements or ideas to form a coherent whole.
Phonetic: [ˈsɪnθəsaɪz]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may struggle with the "th" sound and may say "sin-tee-size."
Challenging Sounds: The "th" sound in the beginning and the middle of the word can be challenging. Spanish speakers might replace it with "S" or "Z."
Tips/Activities: Practice the English "th" sound , which can be voiced /ð/ (as in "this") or voiceless /θ/ (as in "think"). For "synthesize," it's the voiceless /θ/. Remember to place the tip of your tongue against your top front teeth to make this sound.
VIDEO
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16. Through
Definition: Moving in one side and out of the other side.
Phonetic: [θruː]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers might have trouble with the "th" sound, and also say "through" without the final "OO" sound.
Challenging Sounds: The "th" sound can be challenging. Spanish speakers might replace it with "S" or "T."
Tips/Activities: Focus on the "th" sound, which is voiceless /θ/ in this word. Make sure to include the elongated "OO" sound when pronouncing the final part of "through."
VIDEO
17. Rural
Definition: Relating to the countryside or rural areas.
Phonetic: [ˈrʊrəl]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may struggle with the initial "R" sound and may say "roo-rall."
Challenging Sounds: The initial "R" sound can be challenging for Spanish speakers . The English "U" sound is also different from the Spanish "U."
Tips/Activities: Work on the English "R" sound by lightly vibrating the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Pay attention to the short English "U" sound.
VIDEO
18. Vulnerable
Definition: Susceptible to physical or emotional harm, injury, or attack.
Phonetic: [ˈvʌlnərəbl]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may have difficulty with the "V" sound and want to replace it with the "B" sound. This will make "vulnerable" sound like "buhl-nuh-ruh-buhl."
Challenging Sounds: The "V" sound and the unstressed syllables can be challenging. Spanish speakers might replace "V" with "B."
Tips/Activities: Practice the English "V" sound, which is pronounced with the lower lip against the upper teeth. Pay attention to the correct placement of stress and syllable pronunciation.
19. Temperature
Definition: The degree or intensity of heat present in a substance or object.
Phonetic: [ˈtempə(rə)CHər]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may struggle with the final syllable of “temperature,” utilizing a “T” sound rather than a “CH” sound as native English speakers would use.
Challenging Sounds: The difficulty of this word comes down to its misleading spelling.
Tips/Activities: Practice combining pronunciation practice with reading exercises to improve your understanding of English spelling patterns and to attain a native-level understanding of pronunciation nuances.
VIDEO
20. Bought
Definition: To obtain in exchange for payment, in past tense.
Phonetic: [/bɔt/]
Mispronunciation: The vowel sound in “bought” is often mispronounced by Spanish speakers, who tend to say something closer to “boat.”
Challenging Sounds: The extended vowel in “bought” can be challenging, especially due to its unexpected spelling.
Tips/Activities: Incorporate reading into your pronunciation practice to notice spelling patterns, and practice your
pronunciation of the "AW" vowel sound in “bought” in front of a mirror. Practice repeating minimal pairs such as “boat” and “bought."
VIDEO
21. Reservoir
Definition: A large natural or artificial lake used as a storage area for water.
Phonetic: [ˈrɛzərvwɑr]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may find the combination of "rv" challenging and may instead say "re-suh-vwar."
Challenging Sounds: The "R" and "V" sounds in quick succession can be tricky for Spanish speakers. Pay attention to the fluid transition between these sounds.
Tips/Activities: Practice the English "r" sound and the "v" sound individually before combining them. Use tongue twisters or sentences containing words with these sounds to enhance fluid pronunciation.
22. Ecstasy
Definition: An overwhelming feeling of great happiness or intense pleasure.
Phonetic: [ˈɛkstəsi]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may struggle with the initial "ec" and pronounce it like "ee-kstuh-see."
Challenging Sounds: The combination of "ec" and the short "EH" sound can pose difficulties. Spanish speakers might make an elongated "EE" sound.
Tips/Activities: Focus on the short English "EH" sound and practice words with similar combinations. Use exercises that emphasize the correct pronunciation of the "ec" combination to improve overall fluency.
VIDEO
23. Colonel
Definition: A military officer in the army, air force, or marine corps.
Phonetic: [ˈkɝː.nəl]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by pronouncing it like "co-lo-nel."
Challenging Sounds: The English pronunciation of "colonel" is significantly different from its spelling. Pay attention to the silent "l" and the unique pronunciation of the "o" - it will sound like the molar R sound "ER." Tips/Activities: Listen to native speakers saying the word and mimic the pronunciation. Use visualization techniques to remember the correct pronunciation and spelling.
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24. Anemone
Definition: A type of flowering plant often found in marine environments.
Phonetic: [əˈnɛməni]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may struggle with the"EH" sound in second syllable, elongating it to sound more like "EE." They will then mispronounce the word like "uh-nee-moan-ee."
Challenging Sounds: The initial "e" be challenging for this word, as Spanish speakers may not differentiate that it needs to be a shorter sound rather than the longer "EE" sound in this context.
Tips/Activities: Practice words with the "EH" sound. Use tongue twisters or word pairs to master the distinction between "EH" and "EE."
25. Cinnamon
Definition: A fragrant spice obtained from the bark of certain trees.
Phonetic: [ˈsɪnəmən]
Mispronunciation: Spanish speakers may mispronounce this word by pronouncing it like "see-no-mone."
Challenging Sounds: The short "i" sound and the unstressed "o" sound can be challenging. Spanish speakers might elongate the vowel sounds.
Tips/Activities: Pay attention to the correct pronunciation of the short "i" and practice words with similar vowel combinations. Use repetition exercises to enhance overall pronunciation accuracy.
Conquer English Pronunciation Challenges with BoldVoice Mastering the intricacies of English pronunciation is a journey well worth undertaking, and it's a journey made easier with the right tools and resources. Check out our English Pronunciation Guide for Spanish Speakers for a comprehensive breakdown of the most common pronunciation challenges for native Spanish speakers learning English.
And if you're a Spanish speaker committed to improving your English pronunciation, consider harnessing the power of BoldVoice . This innovative platform offers a wide range of tailored language learning solutions, including pronunciation guides, interactive exercises, and expert tips designed to address the unique challenges that Spanish speakers face when learning English.
With BoldVoice, you can confidently tackle those hard-to-pronounce English words we've explored in this article and many more. So, why wait? Embrace the opportunity to refine your pronunciation skills and unlock your full potential. Start your journey to clear, confident, and bold English speech today with a free 7-day trial!
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