Spanish · Difficult words
How to pronounce respirar in Spanish
respirar
to breathe
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
respirar is pronounced /respiˈɾaɾ/ in Spanish. In respirar: 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 respirar
Read respirar in these IPA segments: respi · ˈɾaɾ. 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 respirar: 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.The tapped r /ɾ/
In respirar: 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.A steady /e/ vowel
In respirar: 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.
Hear it in context
Inhalo y exhalo. Voy a respirar más lento.
I inhale and exhale. I'm going to breathe more slowly.
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 respirar. 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 respirar
How do you pronounce respirar?
respirar is pronounced /respiˈɾaɾ/ in Spanish. In respirar: 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 respirar: 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.
