STRESS AND ACCENT RULES

In Spanish the natural stress of words most commonly occurs on the second-to-the-last syllable, and the last syllable.Syllable counting starts at the end of the word. Words that deviate from the norm must carry a written accent mark, known as the acento ortográfico, to indicate where the stress of the word falls.

You can click on the words to hear the word.

1. When a words ends in a vowel [a e i o u] or n or s the stress is on the penultimate [the one before the last] syllable without your having to write an accent.

pink color = syllable being stressed, but does not need an accent.

2. Use a written accent to place the stress on the ultimate [the last] syllable when a words ends in a vowel [a e i o u] or n or s. In other words, when it breaks rule number 1.

red color = syllable with written accent

3. When a word ends in a consonant other than n or s the stress is on the ultimate [the last] syllable.

4. Use a written accent to place the stress on the penultimate [the one before the last] syllable when a word ends in a conosonant other than n or s. In other words, to break rule number 3.

5. To stress any syllable beyond the penultimate syllable [anything after the second syllable from the end] you must always, always write an accent.

6. Write an accent on the letter Í í to keep its sound separate from a, e, or u.

7. Write an accent on the letter Ú ú to keep its sound separate from a, e, or o.

 

 (For specific details on accents regarding verbs, go to Los verbos y los acentos.)

Página diseñada por: Gerardo E. Mireles y Dra. Sandra Canepari.

Asistencia técnica: Cindy Jorth.