Spanish pronunciation: Laterales - /ʎ/

Sample pronunciation audio

Start with one sample audio file for laterales - /ʎ/.

Quick tip

Let air flow along the sides of your tongue.

Letters and IPA

Practice words

• llama

• lluvia

• calle

• pollo

• lleno

Minimal pairs

• pollo / poyo
• calló / cayó
• halla / haya
• malla / maya
• llama / yama

How to produce this sound

This is a new sound for English speakers. To produce /ʎ/, place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth just behind your teeth, as if saying 'l', but let the air flow along the sides of your tongue. It's similar to the 'lli' in 'million' for some speakers, but more pronounced.

Common mix-ups

• pollo / poyo
• calló / cayó
• halla / haya
• malla / maya
• llama / yama

Closest comparison

llama, lluvia, calle, pollo, lleno