The diphthong in Spanish is one of the most important concepts in order to correctly master the spelling and pronunciation of the language. In this article we explain in detail what a diphthong is, what its rules are, how it differs from other phonetic and orthographic phenomena, and we show you numerous examples so that you can understand it clearly.
What is a diphthong in Spanish?
A diphthong is the combination of two vowels pronounced in a single syllable. In other words, when two vowels appear together in a word and are pronounced as a single voice emission, we have a diphthong.
This phenomenon is common in Spanish and has implications for both syllabic division and accentuation.
Spanish vowel types
To better understand the diphthong, we must first classify the vowels:
- Open or strong vowels: a, e, o
- Weak or closed vowels: i, u
Rules for forming a diphthong in Spanish
In Spanish, a diphthong is formed when they are combined:
- An unstressed closed vowel + an open vowel (e.g.: earth, heaven).
- An open vowel + an unstressed closed vowel (e.g.: cause, pause).
- Two different closed vowels (e.g.: city, widow).
Important note: If a closed vowel has an accent, the diphthong is broken and a hiatus is formed (e.g.: cold, country).
Examples of diphthongs in Spanish
| Word | Diphthong | Syllabic division |
|---|---|---|
| land | ie | tie-rra |
| sky | ie | cie-lo |
| cause | au | cau-sa |
| city | ia | ciu-dad |
| widow | iu | viu-da |
| oil | ei | a-cei-te |
| comb | ei | pei-ne |
| egg | ue | hue-vo |
Difference between diphthong and hiatus
It is very common to confuse diphthongs with hiatus. While the diphthong joins two vowels in the same syllable, the hiatus separates the vowels in two different syllables.
Examples of hiatus:
- country (country-country)
- cold (cold-o)
- poetry (po-e-e-yes-a)
In these cases, a stressed closed vowel together with an open vowel causes them to split into two syllables, breaking the diphthong.
Increasing and decreasing diphthongs
Diphthongs are also classified according to vowel order:
Rising diphthong
It is formed when a closed vowel precedes an open vowel.
- ie: land
- ue: door
- io: violet
Decreasing diphthong
It is formed when an open vowel precedes a closed vowel.
- ai: air
- ei: comb
- oi: beret
- au: cause
- eu: debt
Homogeneous diphthong
It occurs when two different closed vowels are combined:
- iu: widow
- ui: very
Accentuation rules with diphthongs
When a word with a diphthong has an accent mark, this is placed according to the general rules of accentuation in Spanish (acute, flat, sdrújulas).
- limpié: an acute word ending in a vowel, accented.
- song: acute ending in "n", accented.
- cuánto: a flat word ending in a vowel, with an accent because it is interrogative.
Important: If the closed vowel is stressed and has a stress, there is no longer a diphthong. Example: Maria (hiatus).
Activities to identify diphthongs
You can practise identifying diphthongs in the following words. Which ones contain diphthongs?
- air
- poetry
- land
- country
- egg
- boot
- auto
- widow
- Maria
- sky
Responses:
- Diphthongs: air, earth, egg, car, widow, sky
- Non-diphthongs (hiatuses): poetry, country, boot, Maria
Importance of the diphthong in Spanish language learning
Understanding the concept of diptongo in Spanish is essential:
- Improving pronunciation
- Correctly divide into syllables
- Apply the rules of accentuation
- Avoid common spelling mistakes
This knowledge is especially important for students of Spanish as a foreign language, as it allows for a more natural and precise command of the language.
Conclusion
The Spanish diphthongal tone is a fundamental pillar of phonetics and spelling. By understanding what it is, how it is formed and when it breaks, you can write and speak more confidently and correctly. If you are learning Spanish or teaching the language, spending time practising this concept will help you consolidate your knowledge and move forward with confidence.
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