How to pronounce “sonreír”

Hear how “sonreír (to smile)” sounds in Spanish, then read the breakdown below.

Breakdown

Tips for English speakers

Common mistake: The r after n is rolled: sohn-rreh-EER.

• The single r is a quick tap, like the "tt" in American English "butter". Don't use an English r.
• The r at the start of a word (or after n, l or s) is rolled: the tip of the tongue flutters against the roof of the mouth.
• The accent on í keeps it in its own syllable, so sonreír has 3 syllables.
• Keep every vowel short and pure: a = "ah", e = "eh", i = "ee", o = "oh", u = "oo". No gliding.

Learn more: Spanish R and RR · Stress and accent marks · Spanish vowels

Example sentences

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