When you encounter an unfamiliar word in Spanish, the temptation to ask someone to write it down may be strong. However, as we will see below, there are much more effective questions that, above all, will demonstrate your mastery of the language.
In the video you are about to watch, I present some situations and the most appropriate questions. Or, if you prefer, you can keep reading.
Doubts with B and V: Faced with words like “volante,” it’s common to hesitate between B and V, as they sound the same. Question: Is it spelled with B or V?
Confusion with Y and LL: When dealing with words like “yate,” asking whether it is spelled with Y or with two Ls is the key.
G or J: In words like “geranio,” where G and J sound the same due to being followed by an E or I, it’s valid to ask if it is spelled with G or J.
S or C/Z in sibilant regions: In places where C sounds like S, as in “cilantro,” the correct question would be whether it is spelled with S or C. The same applies when the following vowel is an A, O, or U; it’s appropriate to ask if it is spelled with S or Z.
Initial or intercalated H: Since it’s a silent consonant, we have no way of guessing this situation. We rely 100% on our intuition. But if you have it developed enough, it’s never a bad idea to ask whether the word you just heard has an H or not. Also, in cases of intercalated H, meaning: H within the word.
These questions will help you improve your spelling without the need to ask someone to write the word, showcasing your interest and knowledge of the language.
And if you want to keep improving your pronunciation even more, you can find a FREE course in the box below.