Spanish · Everyday expressions
How to pronounce hola in Spanish
hola
Hello
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
hola is pronounced /ˈola/ in Spanish. In hola: 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 hola
The reference transcription for hola is /ˈola/. 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.A written h without a separate sound
In hola: 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.A steady /o/ vowel
In hola: 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 hola: 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
¡Hola, Ana! ¿Cómo estás?
Hi, Ana! How are you?
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 hola. 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 hola
How do you pronounce hola?
hola is pronounced /ˈola/ in Spanish. In hola: 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 hola: 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.
