Spanish pronunciation: Fricativas - /x/

Sample pronunciation audio

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

Quick tip

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

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• examen

• México

• extranjero

• taxi

• exacto

Minimal pairs

• examen / amen
• México / médico
• extranjero / extraño
• taxi / taza
• exacto / acto

How to produce this sound

To make /x/, raise the back of your tongue towards the soft part of the roof of your mouth (the velum) and let air pass through, creating a rough, friction sound. It's like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch' or German 'Bach'.

Common mix-ups

• examen / examen
• México / médico
• extranjero / extraño
• taxi / taza
• exacto / acto

Closest comparison

This sound /x/ does not exist in English. Closest: Scottish 'loch', German 'Bach', or 'h' in 'aha' (but not the same).