a
letter name
In Spanish the first letter is called a and sounds like the "a" in "father". It is always a clear "ah", never "ay". It is also called aes.
Meaning: first letter of the alphabet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| a | letter name |
| aes | plural |
When people spell a name, they say each letter name. Ana is spelled a, ene, a because the letter n is called ene.
How does it change in a sentence?
The letter is feminine, so you say la a, and the plural is las aes.
How do you pronounce it?
Say a with an open mouth: "ah". Unlike English, Spanish does not change the vowel in different words, so a sounds the same in casa, Ana and agua.
Did you know?
- Since 2010 the Spanish Royal Academy counts 27 letters in the alphabet, after ch and ll stopped being counted as separate letters.
Examples in context
- La a es la primera letra del alfabeto.The letter A is the first letter of the alphabet.
- Mi nombre se escribe a, ene, a.My name is spelled A, N, A.
- Esta palabra tiene tres aes.This word has three As.
Example conversation
A receptionist asks Ana to spell her name at a clinic in Madrid.
- Recepcionista¿Cómo se escribe su nombre?How do you spell your name?
- AnaA, ene, a.A, N, A.
- RecepcionistaPerfecto, gracias.Perfect, thanks.
