Spanish · Difficult words
How to pronounce relámpago in Spanish
relámpago
Lightning
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
relámpago is pronounced /reˈlampaɡo/ in Spanish. In relámpago: Let the tongue tip vibrate briefly near the ridge behind the upper teeth. Keep the airflow moving without tightening the tongue. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in relámpago
Read relámpago in these IPA segments: re · ˈlampaɡo. 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.The trilled r /r/
In relámpago: Let the tongue tip vibrate briefly near the ridge behind the upper teeth. Keep the airflow moving without tightening the tongue.
Watch out: A curled English r and a single quick tap are different from the trill shown here.
2.A steady /e/ vowel
In relámpago: 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.
3.A steady /o/ vowel
In relámpago: 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”.
Hear it in context
Vi un relámpago en el sur.
I saw a lightning flash in the south.
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 relámpago. 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 relámpago
How do you pronounce relámpago?
relámpago is pronounced /reˈlampaɡo/ in Spanish. In relámpago: Let the tongue tip vibrate briefly near the ridge behind the upper teeth. Keep the airflow moving without tightening the tongue. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In relámpago: Let the tongue tip vibrate briefly near the ridge behind the upper teeth. Keep the airflow moving without tightening the tongue. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
