Spanish · Difficult words

How to pronounce hermana in Spanish

hermana

Sister

ehr-MAHNAH/eɾˈmana/

Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.

hermana is pronounced /eɾˈmana/ in Spanish. In hermana: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

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Find the sounds in hermana

Read hermana in these IPA segments: eɾ · ˈmana. Dots and stress marks identify the boundaries shown in the reference; these symbols are not English spelling. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.

  1. 1.A written h without a separate sound

    In hermana: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly.

    Watch out: Do not add an English h breath merely because h appears in the spelling.

  2. 2.The tapped r /ɾ/

    In hermana: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on.

    Watch out: Do not prolong this into a trill when the IPA shows a single tap.

  3. 3.A steady /e/ vowel

    In hermana: Keep the tongue toward the front and sustain a single /e/ vowel. Listen for its exact height in the recording.

    Watch out: English “ay” often ends with a glide; do not automatically carry that glide into this vowel.

  4. 4.An open vowel

    In hermana: 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

Mi hermana estudia medicina.

My sister studies medicine.

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 hermana. 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 hermana

How do you pronounce hermana?

hermana is pronounced /eɾˈmana/ in Spanish. In hermana: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

What should I listen for first?

In hermana: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.

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