Spanish · Difficult words
How to pronounce rey in Spanish
rey
King
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
rey is pronounced /ˈrei/ in Spanish. In rey: 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 rey
The reference transcription for rey is /ˈrei/. 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 trilled r /r/
In rey: 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 rey: 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.Front-vowel position
In rey: Listen for the distinction between the closer /i/ and the more relaxed /ɪ/ when shown. Keep your tongue toward the front.
Watch out: Do not decide vowel quality from English spelling alone.
Hear it in context
El rey vive en un castillo grande.
The king lives in a big castle.
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 rey. 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 rey
How do you pronounce rey?
rey is pronounced /ˈrei/ in Spanish. In rey: 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 rey: 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.
