j (e.g. jamón, mujer, ojo), g (before e/i, e.g. gente, gitano)
/x/
- Language
- Spanish
- Unit
- Consonantes
- IPA
- /x/
- Practice words
- 5
Sample pronunciation audio — Open the full phoneme overview
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
-
jamón
-
jugo
-
gente
-
ojo
-
jardín
Minimal pairs
- caja / caja/casa
- coja / coja/colla
- teja / teja/tela
- jota / jota/gota
- rojo / rojo/rollo
How to produce this sound
Raise the back of your tongue toward the soft palate and let the air pass with friction, without using your voice.
Common mix-ups
- caja / casa
- rojo / rollo
- teja / tela
- coja / coya
- jota / gota
Closest comparison
This sound is not present in standard English. A few loanwords like 'Bach' or 'loch' may use it, but it is not a regular English sound.
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