Spanish · Difficult words
How to pronounce sur in Spanish
sur
South
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
sur is pronounced /ˈsuɾ/ in Spanish. In sur: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in sur
The reference transcription for sur is /ˈsuɾ/. 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 tapped r /ɾ/
In sur: 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.
2.Back rounded vowels
In sur: Round your lips and keep the tongue toward the back. Follow the closer /u/ or more relaxed /ʊ/ quality written in the IPA.
Watch out: Avoid inserting a y sound before the vowel unless the IPA includes /j/.
3.A clear /s/
In sur: Let air pass through a narrow groove near the front of the mouth. Keep the sound unvoiced.
Watch out: Do not add voicing and turn /s/ into /z/.
Hear it in context
El mercado está al sur.
The market is to 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 sur. 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 sur
How do you pronounce sur?
sur is pronounced /ˈsuɾ/ in Spanish. In sur: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In sur: Make one quick tongue-tip contact behind the upper teeth, then move on. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
