Spanish b and v between vowels

The idea

Between vowels, b and v normally represent the same voiced approximant: bring your lips close without fully closing them, letting air pass while your vocal cords vibrate. In abuela and lava, keep the written stress: bue and la. Compare cabo and capo: the middle consonant changes, but their spelling stays distinct.

Examples

• La abuela prepara café.Grandmother makes coffee.
• Mi vecino vive cerca.My neighbor lives nearby.
• El barco llegó a la bahía.The boat arrived at the bay.
• Julia lava los platos.Julia washes the dishes.
• La nueva biblioteca abre mañana.The new library opens tomorrow.
• El músico lleva una guitarra.The musician carries a guitar.

Watch out

Do not make v with your upper teeth against your lower lip, or stop the airflow completely as for a strong English b. The letters do not distinguish two sounds here.

Try it yourself

1. Which word has b or v between vowels? El bebé duerme.

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   bebé

   bebé: the first consonant lies between the two vowels in the word.

2. Which word has b or v between vowels? La camisa es suave.

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   suave

   suave: the consonant follows the vowel sequence and precedes the final vowel.

3. Which word has b or v between vowels? Tomamos el autobús.

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   autobús

   autobús: the consonant sits between the last two vowels.

Use it today

Read each example slowly, then naturally; identify the letter between vowels.