hacer vibrar la erre
/aθeɾ bibɾaɾ la ere/from spelling rules
The English phrase "roll my rs" is translated into Spanish as hacer vibrar la erre.
This phrase is used to describe the phonetic act of producing a trilled or alveolar tap sound.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb hacer (to make/do), vibrar (to vibrate) and la erre (the letter R).
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ bibɾaɾ la ere/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, failing to hacer vibrar la erre correctly can change the entire meaning of a word, such as turning 'pero' (but) into 'perro' (dog).
- The inability to hacer vibrar la erre is a recognized speech condition in Spanish-speaking countries called rotacismo.
- Some Spanish speakers use the phrase erre con erre as a shorthand reference to the difficulty of mastering the trill, often seen in children's tongue twisters.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría usted enseñarme a pronunciar la 'r' vibrante en español?Could you teach me how to pronounce the rolled 'r' in Spanish?
- No sé cómo hacer vibrar la erre.I don't know how to roll my rs.
- Es difícil hacer vibrar la erre en español.It is difficult to roll the rs in Spanish.
- ¿Puedes enseñarme a hacer vibrar la erre?Can you teach me how to roll my rs?
Example conversation
Sofía is practicing her Spanish pronunciation with Javier.
- SofíaJavier, ¿me ayudas con la pronunciación?Javier, can you help me with my pronunciation?
- JavierClaro, ¿qué parte te cuesta?Of course, which part is hard for you?
- SofíaNo logro hacer vibrar la erre.I can't manage to roll my rs.
- JavierNo te preocupes, es cuestión de práctica.Don't worry, it's just a matter of practice.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
