Spanish · Difficult words
How to pronounce año in Spanish
año
Year
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
año is pronounced /ˈaɲo/ in Spanish. In año: Raise the middle of the tongue to make one “ny”-like consonant. Connect it to the surrounding vowels. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
Find the sounds in año
The reference transcription for año is /ˈaɲo/. Read adjacent consonants together without inserting extra vowels. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.
1.The ñ sound /ɲ/
In año: Raise the middle of the tongue to make one “ny”-like consonant. Connect it to the surrounding vowels.
Watch out: Do not pronounce ñ as plain n or add a separate y syllable.
2.A steady /o/ vowel
In año: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription.
Watch out: Avoid automatically turning a single /o/ into the moving vowel of English “go”.
3.An open vowel
In año: Open the jaw for the a-like vowel shown in the IPA. Keep it continuous and follow the recording’s tongue position.
Watch out: Do not substitute the English diphthong in “day”.
Hear it in context
¡Feliz año nuevo!
Happy New Year!
Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.
Pronunciation and variety
This guide uses a Latin American Spanish model for año. In Spain and other regions, individual consonants may differ. The linked reference records the source transcription; the audio provides one consistent practice model.
The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.
Meaning and everyday use
Questions about año
How do you pronounce año?
año is pronounced /ˈaɲo/ in Spanish. In año: Raise the middle of the tongue to make one “ny”-like consonant. Connect it to the surrounding vowels. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In año: Raise the middle of the tongue to make one “ny”-like consonant. Connect it to the surrounding vowels. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
