Introduction
Pero (but) and perro (dog) mean very different things.
That’s why I’m going to teach you how to definitely roll your RRs like a native.
I am sure that at the end of this article you will be rrrrolling your RRs like a Spanish person. Anybody can do it.
Do every one of the exercises I have prepared for you and thank me later.
Transcription:
First, we need to analyze what's happening in your mouth when you roll your R's.
To start, as you might not have used your tongue a lot (well, I don’t know what you do in your free time), it’s important that you do some warm-up exercises.
Follow me.
Can you fold your tongue into a circle and move it side to side? Then fold your tongue inward.
Now do the Brrr exercise. Say “brrr”. You will have to do this same thing but with your tongue. Close your mouth and expel air. “Brrr”, “rrr”, “brr” This is a great vocal exercise.
For the next exercise, you have to do the “Rarararara” exercise. Say it a few times.
Great job! Our tongue is now ready. The point of doing this is that later we can relax our tongue to get the sound.
Ok let’s learn the correct position of the tongue for the RR sound.
The English R position puts the tip of your tongue to the back. In Spanish we have it to the front and hitting the roof of your mouth just before your teeth. When you say “butter” with an american accent, you get the position. Repeat “butter, butter, butter.” That’s the position. The same with “Pot of tea.”
Put your tongue in that position and blow air. The movement of your tongue for the RR sound is passive. It is like a flag flapping in the wind. So don’t put tension on your tongue. Just put it in the correct position and blow air. It is like learning a wind instrument. You need to learn and practice the correct way of blowing air to make it sound. So you put the tongue in the position and blow air, trying to direct the air to the correct position. It is way more difficult with just air than when saying a word. Now add sound (just like what you do when you go “mmm”).
Let’s go with another exercise that will get you to the RR sound: Try saying “butter” quickly and repeatedly. Making the R stronger each time. Getting a “Brrrrrrr.”
Or try “Butter rap” - Brrra.Try with another consonant. Say “Ta-dah” repeatedly. Tra. Trrrra. Like Rosalía. (Trá trá.)Another word that might help you: “Drama” in Spanish.
When you get the sound, then you can start saying words. Exaggerate the sound a little at first.
Rosa (Rose)
Rata (Rat)
Río (River)
Ruido (Noise)
Reto (Challenge)]
Before I share with you the last trick to pronounce the RR sound, you must know when to use this strong R.
Any R at the beginning of a word is pronounced as the strong R. But it is written with just one R. There’s no word that is written starting with a double R. Repeat after me.
Roto (Broken)
Reloj (Clock)
Risa (Laugh)
When the strong R is in the middle, it is written with 2 Rs.
Burro (Donkey)
Jarra (Jar)
Arriba (Up)
We don’t use the strong R in combination with other consonants. It will always be the Spanish simple R.
Trabajo (Job/Work)
Precioso (Beautiful)
Brillante (Bright)
Gracias (Thank you)
Drácula (Dracula)
Creer (To believe)
Let’s go with the last trick! And I have a challenge for you at the end.Separate words into different syllables.
For “perro”, separate it into two syllables: “Per-ro”. Repeat 20 times until you connect them with RR.
Don’t lengthen the RR too much, it is quick. But strong.
I think you’re ready for the exam. Can you pronounce this tongue twister?
Parra tenía una perra. Guerra tenía una parra
La perra de Parra subió a la parra de Guerra.
Guerra pegó con la porra a la perra de Parra.
Y Parra le dijo a Guerra:
¿Por qué ha pegado Guerra con la porra a la perra de Parra?
Y Guerra le contestó: Si la perra de Parra
no hubiera subido a la parra de Guerra,
Guerra no habría pegado con la porra a la perra de Parra.
Conclusion
Now you can roll your Rs, but do you know your Spanish level?
You can take this test to find out so you know what path to take when you learn Spanish.
¡Hasta pronto!
