They may form diphthongs
and triphthongs only in combination with _I_ and _U_.

CONSONANTS.

The Consonants are pronounced as in English with the following
exceptions:

B is pronounced much more lightly than in English, with no pressure of
the lips, as Libro (book), Brevedad (brevity).

C before _E_ and _I_--_th_ in "theatre," as La Cena (the supper), La
Cerveza (the beer). Otherwise pronounced _K_ as in English, as Caja
(case, box), Color (colour), Cubico (cubic).

Ch _always_ as _ch_ in "church" (never hard as in "monarch"), as
Chocolate (chocolate), Charla (prattle).

D at the end of a word or after a vowel is pronounced very softly and
lightly, with a tinge of _th_ in "they," as Madrid, Amado (loved),
Encarnado (red).

G before _E_ and _I_ is pronounced guttural, as El general (the
general), El giro (the draft, bill). This sound is equal to _ch_ in the
Scotch word "loch." In all other cases G is pronounced hard, as in the
English word "gay"; as Gato (cat), Gobierno (government), Gusto
(pleasure, taste).

H is a mute letter. (Although in Andalusia it is aspirated in certain
words.)

J is always guttural, as Juan (John), Jornalero (day labourer), Junio
(June), Reloj (watch, clock).

Ll--_ly_, stronger than _li_ in "pavilion," as Belleza (beauty), Folleto
(leaflet).

N--ny, stronger than _ni_ in "pinion," as Nino (child), Cana (cane), El
otono (autumn).

Q is only used before _ue_ and _ui_ (and the _u_ is then _mute_), as
Querido (dear, beloved), Yo quiero (I want).

R as in English, but it is always rolled, as Caro (dear, expensive),
Perdida (loss). At the beginning of a word or when preceded by a
consonant it is rolled more strongly, as La rosa (the rose), Deshonra
(dishonour).

Rr always rolled strongly, as Carro (cart), El ferrocarril (the
railway).

S always pronounced as _s_ in "soap," and never as in "as" or "sure."

T as in "tea," but never as _t_ in "nation." It must be pronounced
softly, not explosive, as Fortuna (fortune), Cuatro (four).

V is pronounced much more lightly than in English, as Vino (wine), Vivir
(to live). By the common people _V_ is often confounded with _B_, but
educated Spaniards will always make the proper distinction.

Y--Spanish _I_.

Z--_th_ in "theatre," as Zarazas (cotton prints), Zorra (fox).

NOTE.--In modern Spanish Z is not used before _E_ or _I_, its place
being supplied by _C_.

RULES ON PRONUNCIAT