The Spanish
accent is doesn't indicate a different sound in the
language (like for instance the accents in French) but
they indicate where to put the weight in pronunciation.
For this weight in pronunciation
there is a basic rule that says: Does the word end on
a vowel, an n or an s the weight in pronunciation is
on the second last syllable of the word. Does the word
end on any other consonant the weight of pronunciation
is on the last syllable of the word.
Exceptions
from this rule are marked with accents:
description
la
palabra = word
la mujer =
woman
el
árbol = tree
el arroz
= rice
la
contabilidad = accounting
el desierto
= desert
la
emancipación =
emancipation
ellos miran
(infinitive mirar) =
they look
correct
incorrect
explanation
follows
the rule. does end on a vowel
weight of pronunciation is on second last
syllable.
follows the rule. ends
on a consonant (not s or n) weight of pronunciation
is on the last syllable
doesn't
follow the rule. ends on a consonant. should
have the weight of pronunciation on the last
syllable, but it is on the first syllable.
accent is used!
follows the rule. ends
on a consonant (not s or n)
weight of pronunciation is on last syllable
follows
the rule. ends on a consonant (not s or n)
weight of pronunciation is on the last syllable
follows the rule. does
end on a vowel
weight of pronunciation is on second last
syllable.
doesn't
follow the rule. ends on n. should have weight
of pronunciation on second last syllable,
but it is on the last syllable. accent is
used.
follows
the rule. ends on n.
weight of pronunciation is on second last
syllable.
