abc
/abk/from spelling rules
abc is the Spanish term for a primer for learning the alphabet (noun).
In informal contexts, speakers may also use the term El abecé to refer to the alphabet.
Meaning: primer for learning the alphabet (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Central America, particularly in Guatemala and Honduras, the letter 'r' is commonly referred to as rebeca.
How do you pronounce it?
/abk/
Did you know?
- The letter ñ, a cornerstone of the Spanish abc, originated in the Middle Ages when scribes used a small n above another n as a shorthand to save expensive parchment.
- Historically, the Spanish alphabet included the letter ch as a separate entry in the abc, but the Royal Spanish Academy removed it as a distinct letter in 2010.
- In Spanish, the phrase no saber ni el abc is used to describe someone who is completely ignorant of a particular subject, similar to the English 'not knowing the first thing about'.
Examples in context
- La interpretación de hoy de la orquesta sinfónica ABC no estuvo a la altura de mis expectativas.Today's performance of the ABC Symphony Orchestra fell short of my expectations.This sentence shows how abc can be part of a proper name like a symphony orchestra.Tatoeba #9770073 by Eremon, translation #242483 by CM
- El alfabeto español consta de veintisiete letrasThe Spanish alphabet consists of twenty-seven letters
- Vamos a aprender el abecedario hoyWe are going to learn the alphabet today
- El orden de las letras del abecedario es importanteThe order of the letters of the alphabet is important
- Me sé todo el abecé de memoriaI know the whole alphabet by heart
- Me encanta la 'a', es mi letra favoritaI love 'a,' it's my favorite letter
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about a toddler's progress.
- Daniel¿Ya sabe el abecedario el pequeño?Does the little one know the alphabet yet?
- ElenaSí, ya se sabe todo el abc.Yes, he already knows the whole abc.
- Daniel¡Qué inteligente es ese niño!That boy is so smart!
- ElenaEs muy dedicado con sus estudios.He is very dedicated to his studies.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
