G - Lawless Spanish

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Spanish Consonant

The Spanish letter G can be pronounced in two different ways.

1. When the G precedes A, O, U, or a consonant, it is pronounced like a hard English g as in "gag." It may also be softened to something approaching 2, below.

Por ejemplo…

agosto	August	Similar English sound
agua	water	gave
galleta	cookie	go
guisantes	peas	gum
grande	big	glow

2. When the G precedes an E or I, it is pronounced like a Spanish J.

There’s no equivalent in English; it’s somewhat similar to the Parisian R, or CH in the Scottish word loch.

Por ejemplo…

gente	people
gigante	giant

Also see lesson on hard and soft vowels.

Please note that this explanation is only a guideline for the Spanish that I know, which is Castilian Spanish. There are many regional variations in Spanish pronunciation.

Related lessons

• Consonants
• Hard and soft vowels
• Spanish alphabet

En français

• La lettre g

In italiano

• La lettera g

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