Visit the Speaking Simply Spanish Shop for course books, kids’ books and learning aids.

speaking simply spanish
free content
beginners spanish content
beginners spanish content
Advanced Content
login logout

HIATO

Un hiato is where two vowels appear together in a word but they are pronounced in different syllables e.g. creo – cre-o, emplea – em-ple-a.

 

DIPTONGO

Un diptongo is where two vowels appear together in a word and they are pronounced in the same syllable e.g. aqua – a-gua, Canario – ca-na-rio.

A diptongo is formed by two closed vowels or one open vowel and one closed vowel.

 

TRIPTONGO

Un triptongo is where three vowels appear together in a word and they are pronounced in the same syllable e.g. estudiáis – est-udi-áis, limpiáis – lim-pi-áis.

The middle vowel will be open and the other two will be closed.

 

Open vowels – Vocales abiertas a,e,o.

 

Closed vowels – Vocales Cerradas i,u