Spanish pronunciation: Fricativas - /ɣ/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for fricativas - /ɣ/.

Quick tip

Let the air pass through a narrow gap, creating friction.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• agua

• lago

• amigo

• pago

• jugo

Minimal pairs

• lago / lago
• pago / pago
• amigo / amigo
• jugo / jugo
• agua / agua

How to produce this sound

To make /ɣ/, place the back of your tongue close to your soft palate, like for 'g' in 'go', but let air pass through without blocking it completely. It sounds softer and more like a friction.

Common mix-ups

• lago / lago
• amigo / amigo
• pago / pago
• jugo / jugo
• agua / agua

Closest comparison

This is a new sound in English. Closest: 'g' in 'go', but /ɣ/ is softer and not a stop.