Spanish Accents And Stress

Beginning Spanish: A basic course in the Spanish language


 
In the Spanish language, if a word contains a letter with an accent mark over a vowel (á, é, í, ó, or ú), the accented syllable is stressed. Note: In the examples, you would stress the underlined syllable. In Spanish words without a written accent, follow these rules for placing the proper stress:

  1. If the Spanish word ends in n, s, or a vowel, stress the next to the last syllable.
  2. If the Spanish word ends in any consonant besides
    n or s, stress the last syllable.

The best way to master the stress of Spanish words is to simply read them and say them, keeping these rules in mind.
 

Back to the Spanish Course menu
 
More Interesting Articles