triptongo
/tɾibˈtonɡo/masculine
The English word 'triphthong' is translated into Spanish as triptongo.
A triptongo is a linguistic term referring to a monosyllabic vowel combination involving movement from one vowel to another. It is a cognate of the English word 'triphthong'. In informal speech, a person might describe this phenomenon as tres vocales juntas (three vowels together).
Meaning: monosyllabic vowel combination involving movement from one vowel to another (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun triptongo is masculine, so it is preceded by the masculine article el (e.g., el triptongo).
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾibˈtonɡo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the rules governing triptongo are so strict that adding a single accent mark to one of the weak vowels instantly kills the triptongo and creates a hiato, or hiatus.
- The concept of the triptongo is deeply tied to the Spanish distinction between 'strong' and 'weak' vowels, a categorization system that does not exist in English phonology.
- While English 'triphthongs' often involve complex gliding sounds, Spanish triptongos are strictly defined by the presence of a strong vowel flanked by two weak ones.
Examples in context
- bueyOx
- Ese triptongo es difícil de pronunciar.That triphthong is difficult to pronounce.
- Identifiqué un triptongo en la palabra.I identified a triphthong in the word.
- El profesor explicó qué es un triptongo.The teacher explained what a triphthong is.
Example conversation
Two students are studying Spanish grammar in a library.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿qué es exactamente un triptongo?Daniel, what exactly is a triphthong?
- DanielEs la unión de tres vocales en una sílaba.It is the union of three vowels in one syllable.
- LucíaYa entiendo, es un sonido fluido.I see, it is a fluid sound.
- DanielExacto, Lucía, así es como funciona.Exactly, Lucía, that is how it works.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “triphthong” translations and entries triptongo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
