Diphthongs in Spanish

Diphthongs in Spanish are formed by combining one of the strong vowels, a, e, o with one of the weak vowels (i and u):

A combination of the 2 weak vowels also forms a diphthong in Spanish:

Oi is written oy and ui is written uy at the end of a word. Examples:

When the diphthong is accented, the stress falls on the strong vowel, if there is one.

If the diphthong consists of 2 weak vowels, the second one receives the stress. For instance:

In speaking or writing Spanish, you must take care never to divide a diphthong.

The vowels of the diphthong should be so pronounced that they fuse into one utterance.

In the mixed diphthongs, the stress falls on the strong vowel:

Combination of Vowels not Forming Diphthongs in Spanish

Two strong vowels do not form a diphthong, but remain 2 distinct syllables:

The "ae" vowels, do not form a diphthong, as they are strong vowels together.

Similarly, a strong vowel and an accented weak vowel standing together form separate syllables:

If the first of 2 weak vowels coming together is accented, two syllables are formed:

Spanish Triphthongs!?

Yes, the Spanish language has them too!

A triphthong consists of a stressed strong vowel standing between two weak vowels and forms a single syllable:

Spanish Pronunciation: Related Links

• Spanish Grammar (main page)
• The Spanish Alphabet
• Spanish Consonants: Learn to read and pronounce Spanish consonants like a native speaker!
• Spanish Consonants Part 2: More consonant combinations to learn in Spanish
• Dyphthongs in Spanish (Holy Guacamole!) and Syllables
• Stress and Written Accent in Spanish
• Linkage and Contraction of Words in Spanish (and a bit on punctuation)

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