c (before e/i, e.g. cero, cinco), z (e.g. zapato, lazo) — Castilian Spanish only
/θ/
- Language
- Spanish
- Unit
- Consonantes
- IPA
- /θ/
- Practice words
- 5
Sample pronunciation audio — Open the full phoneme overview
Start with one sample audio file for fricativas - /θ/.
Quick tip
Let the air pass through a narrow gap, creating friction.
Letters and IPA
Practice words
-
cero
-
cinco
-
zapato
-
azul
-
cena
Minimal pairs
- caza / caza/casa
- cima / cima/sima
- cocer / cocer/coser
- zumo / zumo/humo
- ceda / ceda/seda
How to produce this sound
Put the tip of your tongue lightly between your teeth and let the air pass without using your voice.
Common mix-ups
- casa / caza
- cocer / coser
- abrasar / abrazar
- siervo / ciervo
- sima / cima
Closest comparison
think, three, bath, thank, mouth
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