Syllables
⭐ Spanish Emphasis Rules
Spanish has two simple, predictable emphasis rules.
✔ Rule 1
If a word ends in a vowel, N, or S, the emphasis falls on the second-to-last syllable.
- CA-sa
- ME-sa
- pa-LA-bra
- JO-ven
✔ Rule 2
If a word ends in any other consonant, the emphasis falls on the last syllable.
- re-LOJ
- pa-PEL
- ciu-DAD
⭐ Accent Marks
Accent marks in Spanish show where the emphasis goes — even when it breaks the usual rule.
- inglés → in-GLÉS
- canción → can-CIÓN
- teléfono → te-LÉ-fo-no
- fácil → FÁ-cil
If there's an accent, emphasize that syllable. Always.
⭐ Accent Marks Preserve Stress
When a word changes (plural, tense, etc.), Spanish uses accent marks to protect the original stress.
- joven → JO-ven (no accent needed)
- jóvenes → JÓ-ve-nes (accent added to keep the stress)
💡 Accent marks are not random — they exist to keep pronunciation consistent.
⭐ Accents That Change Meaning
| Without Accent | With Accent | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| el | él | the / he |
| tu | tú | your / you |
| mi | mí | my / me |
| si | sí | if / yes |
| que | qué | that / what |
| como | cómo | like (as) / how |
🎤 Pronunciation Practice
Repeat after the recording:
- casa, libro, mesa, palabra
- reloj, papel, ciudad
- inglés, canción, teléfono, fácil
- el / él — tu / tú — si / sí — que / qué
📝 Practice Activities
- On a piece of paper, write the following words and underline the emphasized syllable: mañana, profesor, difícil, ventana.
- Write the following words and add accents where needed: ingles, cancion, facil, telefono.
- Say each pair aloud noticing the meaning change (note the pronunciation does not change with these words): tu/tú, mi/mí, si/sí.
❓ Mini Quiz – Check Your Understanding
1. Words ending in a vowel are usually emphasized on…?
- A. The last syllable
- B. The first syllable
- C. The second-to-last syllable
- D. They have no emphasis
👉 Show answer
✔ C. The second-to-last syllable
2. Which word is emphasized on the last syllable?
- A. casa
- B. libro
- C. reloj
- D. mesa
👉 Show answer
✔ C. reloj
3. What does an accent mark (´) do?
- A. Makes the word longer
- B. Changes the spelling rules
- C. Shows where the emphasis goes
- D. Marks a question
👉 Show answer
✔ C. Shows where the emphasis goes
4. Which pair changes meaning with accents?
- A. casa / casas
- B. tu / tú
- C. rojo / roja
- D. hola / halo
👉 Show answer
✔ B. tu / tú
Bonus Question:
Why does jóvenes need an accent, but joven does not?
- A. Because plural words always have accents
- B. Because the accent changes the meaning
- C. Because the word ends in S
- D. To preserve the original stress on the first syllable
👉 Show answer
✔ D. To preserve the original stress on the first syllable
Conversation Builder
💬 Conversation Builder
Practice pronouncing these conversation starters with the above recording.A: ¿Cómo te llamas? (What's your name?)
B: Me llamo ____. (My name is _____.)
A: ¿Hablas inglés? (Do you speak English?)
B: Sí, hablo inglés y un poco de español. (Yes, I speak English and a little bit of Spanish.)
Vocabulary
📘 Lesson 2 Vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| casa | house |
| mesa | table |
| palabra | word |
| libro | book |
| reloj | clock, watch |
| ciudad | city |
| inglés | English |
| canción | song |
| teléfono | telephone |
| fácil | easy |
| joven | young |
| jóvenes | young people (plural) |
| hablas | you speak |
| libros | books |
| como | like/as |
| cómo | how(?) |
| si | if |
| sí | yes |
| tu | your |
| tú | you |
| que | that |
| qué | what(?) |
| mi | my |
| mí | me |
💡 Tip: Listen and then read the words out loud and notice where your voice naturally stresses the syllable.
🔁 Review & Summary
- Two simple rules determine Spanish stress.
- Accent marks tell you exactly where to stress.
- Some words change meaning with accents.
- Natural rhythm comes from syllable timing.
- You practiced pronunciation, listening, and conversation.
- Congratulations! You are already speaking Spanish!
