erre
/ere/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for the letter r is erre.
In Spanish, the name erre refers specifically to the letter r, which can represent both the single alveolar tap and the trilled alveolar sound.
How do you pronounce it?
/ere/
Did you know?
- The trilled erre is so distinct that it is often used in Spanish songs and poetry as an onomatopoeia to imitate the sound of a motor or a purring cat.
- In Spanish, there is a specific term called rotacismo to describe the speech disorder where someone cannot pronounce the trilled erre sound.
- Children in many Spanish-speaking countries use a specific tongue-twister called el trabalenguas that focuses heavily on the erre to practice the trill.
Examples in context
- Para los japoneses es muy difícil articular el sonido de la erre.It is difficult for the Japanese to articulate the sound of the r.Tatoeba #4378072 by umano, translation #4409851 by LB
- Esa palabra tiene una erre muy fuerte.That word has a very strong r.
- Me cuesta pronunciar la erre al principio.I struggle to pronounce the r at the beginning.
Example conversation
María is helping Alejandro with his Spanish pronunciation.
- MaríaAlejandro, tienes que vibrar más la erre.Alejandro, you have to vibrate the 'r' more.
- AlejandroEs muy difícil hacer ese sonido.It is very difficult to make that sound.
- MaríaPon la lengua en el paladar para la erre.Put your tongue on the palate for the 'r'.
- AlejandroCreo que ahora ya me sale la erre.I think I can do the 'r' now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
