Spanish language Tip - Letter c pronunciation

Letter "c" is not pronounced the same way. Depending on the the country, it may sound either like an "s" or as the English "th" (as in "thing" or "thousand").

This last pronunciation is the one used in Spain, in the North of Spain, to be more exact. This only happens if letter "c" is followed by either "e" or "i". As in "cien" or "cero".

But, if letter "c" is preceding vowels "a", "o" or "u", it will sound like "k", as in "casa" or "calle".

In few words:

Letter "c" pronounced as English "th" (or as an "s" in countries in América), when preceded by vowels "e" or "i".
Examples: "cien" (one hundred), "cenar" (dinner), "cerrado" (closed) or "piscina" (swimming pool).

On the other hand, whenever letter "c" is preceded by either "a", "o" or "u", it wil be pronounced like a "k".

Examples: "cama" (bed), "casa" (house), "comer" (to eat), "correr" (to run), "culebra" (snake) or "curva" (curve)

c + a = /k/
c + o = /k/
c + u = /k/

c + e = "th" or /s/
c + i = "th" or /s/

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	Angeles Fernandez BellaOnline's Spanish Language Editor