Hiatuses Ending with Í or Ú
Start first lessonExplanation
Un hiato(a hiatus) is a linguistic term used to refer to a Spanish word that has two vowels in a row that are pronounced in different syllables. For example, the word caer(to fall) has two syllables: ca and er.
The word hiato shouldn’t be confused with the word diptongo(diphthong), which refers to a combination of two vowels pronounced in the same syllable. For example, pie(foot) has only one syllable.
This article focuses on hiatos(hiatuses) ending in the letter i or the letter u.
Spanish Hiatos
The word hiato (hiatus) refers to the pronunciation of a Spanish word that has two vowels in a row that are pronounced in different syllables. For example, caída(fall), tarea(homework), and cooperar(to cooperate) each contain a hiatus. There are three types of hiatus in Spanish:
Hiatuses are important because they determine the number and nature of the syllables of a word, which in turn will often determine whether that word is written with or without a tilde(written accent) in Spanish. Let's check out the pronunciation of some common hiatuses!
Spanish Hiatus Pronunciation
Below are examples of Spanish hiatuses. Click on the audio button to hear how they're pronounced!
Spanish Hiatus Accentuation
Here are a few tips to help you know when hiatuses have a written accent.
Tips for Writing Accents on Hiatuses
Accents and Weak/Strong Vowels
Words containing hiatuses usually follow normal Spanish written accent rules, but the first tip in the above table is an exception.
Funny Thing Is...
...the word hiato itself contains a diptongo, a combination of vowels that are normally pronounced in the same syllable. Hiato has two syllables, hia and to, and the vowels ia form a diphthong, not a hiatus!
Spanish Words with Hiatuses Ending with Í or Ú
Now let's take a look at some words that have hiatuses ending with ú or í!
Want to learn more about Spanish pronunciation? Check out the following articles!
• Spanish Diphthongs and Triphthongs
• Spanish Alphabet Pronunciation
• How to Pronounce the Letter "I" in Spanish
• How to Pronounce the Letter "A" in Spanish
• How to Pronounce the Letter "E" in Spanish
• How to Pronounce the Letter "O" in Spanish
