🗣️ Pronunciation ★ Core Say it yourself

R and RR

Distinguish the single tap from the strong trill well enough to keep words intelligible.

Single r between vowels is usually a tap. rr between vowels is strong. A single r is also strong at the beginning of a word and commonly after n, l or s.

Patterns to reuse
intervocalic r → tap
pero, caro
intervocalic rr → trill/strong r
perro, carro
word-initial r → strong r
rojo, restaurante
Watch out for
Using an English approximant r.
Use a brief tongue contact for the tap.

The Spanish sound is made nearer the alveolar ridge.

Writing rr at the beginning: rrestaurante.
restaurante

The initial single r is already pronounced strongly.

pero / perro
but / dog
caro / carro
expensive / car
Quiero arroz.
I want rice.
KYEH-roh ah-RROHTH
El restaurante está cerrado.
The restaurant is closed.
ehl rrehs-tow-RAHN-teh ehs-TAH theh-RRAH-doh
Minimal pairs
perovsperro
carovscarro
corovscorro
Strong Contexts
initial r: rápidoafter n: Enriqueafter l: alrededor
Practice Advice

Aim first for a clear contrast; a perfect sustained trill is not required for successful communication.

Try it out loud
minimal pairs
Alternate pero/perro and caro/carro slowly.
What to include

Make duration/contact clearly different.

build up
Practise the strong r in syllables ra-re-ri-ro-ru, then words.
What to include

Relax and use airflow; avoid excessive tension.

recording
Record the four example phrases and compare clarity.
What to include

Judge contrast, not native-like perfection.

Happy with all of this?
  • I make a perceptible tap/strong-r contrast.
  • I know when written r and rr represent the strong sound.

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