Silent letters ~ H and sometimes U

Figuring out how to pronounce a new Spanish word is fairly easy, because there are consistent rules about how to pronounce each letter, and only two silent letters.

The letter H is always silent - the word is pronounced as if the h weren't there at all.

• hablar - speak
• hermano - brother
• helado - ice cream
• hija - daughter
• ahora - now
• zanahoria - carrot

(However, note that, as in English, CH is a different sound than C).

The letter U is sometimes silent in Spanish, but it has a purpose. When a U is preceded by G and followed by the soft vowels E or I, the letter U is silent.

• guisantes - peas
• droguería - drugstore
• portugués - Portuguese

For a U followed by E or I to be pronounced, you need a dieresis.

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