hacer vibrar la r
/aθeɾ bibɾaɾ la ɾ/from spelling rules
The phrase to roll your r in Spanish is hacer vibrar la r.
This phrase describes the phonetic action of trilling the alveolar trill (the 'rr' sound) in Spanish.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase hacer vibrar la r literally means 'to make the r vibrate'.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾ bibɾaɾ la ɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, particularly in the Caribbean, the rolled r is often softened or replaced with an 'l' sound, a phenomenon known as 'lambdacism'.
- Spanish speakers often use a 'tongue-twister' called trabalenguas to practice the trill. These phrases are designed to be difficult to say and are used as a linguistic game for both children and adults.
- In Spanish, the 'r' sound is not just one sound but two different ones. A single r is a tap, while the rolled rr is a trill, and using the wrong one can change a word like 'pero' meaning 'but' into 'perro' meaning 'dog'.
Examples in context
- Tres tristes tigres tragan trigo en un trigalThree sad tigers eat wheat in a wheatfield
- Erre con erre cigarro, erre con erre barril, rápido ruedan los carros, cargados de azúcar del ferrocarrilDouble 'r' with cigar, double 'r' with barrel, the wagons filled with sugar quickly roll from the railroad
- Tienes que hacer vibrar la r para hablar bien.You have to roll your r to speak well.
- Es difícil hacer vibrar la r al principio.It is difficult to roll your r at first.
- ¿Sabes cómo hacer vibrar la r con rapidez?Do you know how to roll your r quickly?
Example conversation
María is helping Alejandro with his Spanish pronunciation.
- MaríaAlejandro, no estás diciendo bien la palabra 'perro'.Alejandro, you aren't saying the word 'perro' correctly.
- Alejandro¿Qué estoy haciendo mal, María?What am I doing wrong, María?
- MaríaDebes hacer vibrar la r con la punta de la lengua.You must roll the r with the tip of your tongue.
- AlejandroEstá bien, lo voy a intentar otra vez.Okay, I am going to try it again.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
