Are you ready to test your Spanish accents skills? This comprehensive Spanish accents quiz will challenge your understanding of tildes (accent marks ´), pronunciation rules, and help you master one of the most crucial aspects of Spanish grammar. Whether you're studying palabras agudas, graves, or esdrújulas, this quiz covers the essential accent mark rules you need to know.
Before diving into our Spanish accents quiz, let's quickly review the fundamental rules that govern when and where to place accent marks (tildes) in Spanish.
Spanish words are classified into three main groups based on where the stress falls:
Palabras Agudas (Oxytone Words)
Stress on the last syllable
Add tilde when ending in vowel, n, or s
Examples: café (coffee), también (too)
Palabras Graves/Llanas (Paroxytone Words)
Stress on the second-to-last syllable
Add tilde when NOT ending in vowel, n, or s
Examples: árbol (tree), lápiz (pencil)
Palabras Esdrújulas (Proparoxytone Words)
Stress on the third-to-last syllable
ALWAYS carry a tilde
Examples: música (music), rápido (fast)
Diphthongs (two vowels in same syllable) follow the general accent rules, while hiatus (vowels in separate syllables) has special rules. When a weak vowel (i, u) is stressed next to a strong vowel (a, e, o), the weak vowel always gets a tilde to break the diphthong: día (day), río (river).
Some Spanish words are spelled identically but have completely different meanings depending on whether they carry a tilde. For example, más (more) vs. mas (but), tú (you) vs. tu (your), or sé (I know) vs. se (reflexive pronoun). These diacritical accents distinguish meaning and prevent confusion.
Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test! This Spanish accents practice quiz includes questions on all major topics. Choose the correct answer for each question.
a) dolor (pain)
b) papel (paper)
c) cancion (song)
d) animal (animal)
a) in the last syllable (co)
b) in the second-to-last syllable (ni)
c) in the third-to-last syllable (tro)
d) It doesn't need an accent
a) lápiz (pencil)
b) dificíl (difficult)
c) rápido (fast)
d) guía (guide)
a) True
b) False
a) Yo no sé si él esta tomando te
b) Yo no se sí él está tomando té
c) Yo no sé sí él esta tomando te
d) Yo no sé si él está tomando té
a) honor (honor)
b) feliz (happy)
c) compas (compass)
d) ciudad (city)
a) True
b) False
a) hipopotamo (hippopotamus)
b) delfin (dolphin)
c) ballena (whale)
d) tarantula (tarantula)
a) Mi tia es mas alta que mi mamá
b) Mí tia es más alta que mi mamá
c) Mi tía es más alta que mi mamá
d) Mi tía es más alta que mí mamá
a) Chile
b) Peru
c) Panama
d) Mexico
The correct answer is canción. Why? Because it is stressed on the last syllable (palabras aguda) and ends with -n, so the accent mark needs to be placed on the last vowel.
No me gusta esta canción.
I don't like this song.
Caption 28, Yago 2 El puma - Part 1
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The correct answer is c) because electrónico is stressed on the third-to-last syllable (palabra esdrújula), so the accent mark is needed.
Era un gran rancho electrónico
It was a great electronic ranch
Caption 15, Hecho en México Documentary - Part 1
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The word difícil is stressed on the second-to-last syllable (palabra grave) and doesn't end in -n, -s, or a vowel, so the accent goes on the second-to-last syllable: di-fí-cil.
Ay, eso va a estar como muy difícil, doctor,
Oh, that's going to be, like, very difficult, Doctor,
Caption 1, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 4 - Part 14
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In the word egoísta, there's a hiatus occurring between the vowels "o" and "í." Since the weak vowel "í" receives the stress, it forces a separation between "o" and "í," placing them in different syllables: e-go-ís-ta. This creates a four-syllable word.
¡Eres un egoísta, un egoísta, un egoísta!
You're a selfish person, a selfish person, a selfish person!
Caption 32, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 12 - Part 8
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Yo: Doesn't need an accent
no: Doesn't need an accent
sé: Accent needed because it's the first person conjugation of the verb saber (to know) in the present indicative
si: Doesn't need an accent when it means "if" in English
él: Accent needed. The pronoun él (he) always needs an accent
está: Needs an accent because it's a palabra aguda ending in a vowel
tomando: Doesn't need an accent because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel
té: Accent needed when referring to "tea" in English
The correct answer is compás because it is stressed on the last syllable (palabra aguda) and ends with -s, so the accent mark needs to be placed on the last vowel.
"compás" o "colibrí".
"compás" [compass] or "colibrí" [hummingbird].
Caption 30, Carlos explica Acentuación Cap. 4: Clasificación de las palabras según el acento
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The plural of árbol is árboles. While árbol is a palabra grave that needs an accent mark because it doesn't end in -n, -s, or a vowel, when we form the plural árboles, it becomes a palabra esdrújula (stress on the third-to-last syllable: ár-bo-les). Since all palabras esdrújulas always need an accent mark, árboles must keep the accent.
donde hay árboles muy grandes
where there are very big trees
Caption 30, Silvia nos cuenta El bosque encantado y las emociones mágicas - Part 2
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The correct answer is ballena because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel, so it doesn't need an accent mark. The other words need accent marks: hipopótamo is a palabra esdrújula (all esdrújulas need accents), delfín is a palabra aguda ending in -n (agudas ending in vowels, -n, or -s need accents), and tarántula is a palabra esdrújula (all esdrújulas need accents).
Tiene la forma y el tamaño de una ballena jorobada.
It has the shape and size of a humpback whale.
Caption 41, Pipo Un paseo por la playa de Atacames
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Mi: Doesn't need an accent when it's a possessive adjective meaning "my"
tía: Needs an accent because there's a hiatus between the weak vowel "í" and the strong vowel "a," creating two separate syllables: tí-a
es: Doesn't need an accent because it's a monosyllabic word
más: Accent needed because it means "more" (distinguishes from mas meaning "but")
alta: Doesn't need an accent because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel
que: Doesn't need an accent when it means "than" in English
mi: Doesn't need an accent when it's a possessive adjective meaning "my"
mamá: Needs an accent because it's a palabra aguda ending in a vowel
The correct answer is Chile because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel, so it doesn't need an accent mark. The other countries need accent marks: Perú is a palabra aguda ending in a vowel (agudas ending in vowels, -n, or -s need accents), Panamá is a palabra aguda ending in a vowel, and México is a palabra esdrújula (all esdrújulas need accents).
Seguro que se fue con esa secretaria a Chile.
Surely he went with that secretary to Chile.
Caption 11, Muñeca Brava 8 Trampas - Part 14
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9-10 correct: ¡Excelente! You have a solid grasp of Spanish accent rules.
7-8 correct: Great job! You're well on your way to mastering tildes.
5-6 correct: Good effort! Review the rules and keep practicing.
3-4 correct: Keep studying! Focus on the three main categories.
0-2 correct: Don't worry! Start with the basics and practice regularly.
This Spanish accents test covered the essential rules you need to know for proper Spanish pronunciation and spelling. Remember that mastering tildes takes time and practice, but understanding these patterns will significantly improve your Spanish writing and speaking skills.
Keep practicing with these Spanish accent rules, and you'll find that placing tildes becomes second nature. Remember, accent marks aren't just decorative—they're essential for proper pronunciation and can completely change the meaning of words.
We'd love to hear how you did on this quiz! Send us your results and any questions you might have about Spanish accents.
Do you know how to say that something "is necessary" in Spanish? Do you like telling people what "has to" be done? We'll teach you a simple formula!
To say something "is necessary" in Spanish, you might use the literal phrase es necesario (it's necessary) plus a verb's infinitive, or "to" form:
Es necesario usar papel, carbón o madera para encenderlo.
It's necessary to use paper, charcoal, or wood to light it.
Caption 22, El Aula Azul Adivina qué es - Part 1
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And, to tell someone what they "have to" do, you could use verbs like tener que (to have to) or deber (must) plus the infinitive:
Tienes que mejorar esto.
You have to improve this.
Caption 28, El Aula Azul La Doctora Consejos: Hay y estar
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Bueno, primero debemos hacer la lista de invitados
Well, first, we must make the guest list
Caption 15, Cleer y Carolina Organizando la fiesta del abuelo
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However, if you are looking for a non-literal, conjugation-free alternative (to conjugate just the present indicative tense of tener que, for example, you have to memorize tengo que, tienes que, tiene que, tenemos que, tenéis que, and tienen que), we invite you to use the following, very simple formula, which can express the same thing as the previous three options in various contexts:
Hay que + infinitive
Don't get us wrong— you are going to have to learn those verb conjugations sooner or later! But, perhaps while you do, or as a viable alternative that native speakers often employ, you could opt for hay que + infinitive.
Hay comes from the Spanish verb haber, which is an auxiliary, or helping, verb that means "to have" or "to be" and appears in its conjugated forms as part of different verb tenses (e.g. the present perfect, pluperfect, etc.). Hay is haber's impersonal form, which never changes (it is always just hay in the present tense) and can mean "there is" or "there are." However, when hay is combined with que + infinitive, it becomes a fixed expression that means "it's necessary" (to do something). Let's see a couple of examples:
hay que darle la oportunidad de defenderse.
it's necessary to give him the opportunity to defend himself.
Caption 22, Los casos de Yabla Problemas de convivencia - Part 2
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¡Hay que reclamar el premio antes de las diez de la noche!
You have to claim the prize before ten p.m.!
Caption 61, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 6: El día de la Primitiva - Part 4
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Note that the second example has been translated with "you have to," a more colloquial equivalent of "it's necessary" that includes the "universal you," implying "people" or "everyone." "One has to" or "one must" would also be valid translations.
The construction hay que + infinitive can be used in basically any context in which you want to say that "it's necessary" to do a particular thing. That said, we have included below a few scenarios in which you are likely to come across it. When reading the translations, keep in mind that while this impersonal construction has no specific subject, in cases in which the context or sentence makes clear who the speaker feels "has to" or "must" act in a particular way, the construction is often translated as if the subject were explicitly stated.
Since the construction hay que + infinitive explains what "people have to do," it only makes sense that it is often heard when talking about perceived wisdom about life:
En la vida hay que saber relajarse,
In life, you need to know how to relax,
Caption 44, Ana Teresa 5 principios del yoga
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El pasado hay que olvidarlo, hay que enterrarlo,
The past, you have to forget it, you have to bury it,
Captions 38-39, Yago 2 El puma - Part 1
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As we mentioned earlier, you might use the expression hay que + infinitive to tell someone what to do without explicitly saying "you must," as in these two examples from the popular series Confidencial: Asesino al Volante:
Yo sé que les dijimos que no vinieran por acá pero hay que darles la buena noticia.
I know we told them not to come here, but we have to give them the good news.
Captions 65-66, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 2 - Part 11
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Hay que demostrar que tú no eres ningún criminal,
You have to show that you're no criminal,
Caption 61, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 3 - Part 10
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In other cases, one might give a suggestion as to what they generally feel that "people" should do:
pues, hay que ir a México.
well, you have to go to Mexico.
Caption 32, World Travel Market en Londres Raúl nos habla de México
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Since giving directions entails explaining what "has to be done," you will often hear the construction hay que + infinitive in this context:
Después hay que torcer la primera calle a la izquierda.
Then you have to turn to the left on the first street.
Caption 34, Curso de español Disculpe, ¿hay un cine por aquí?
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Primero hay que ir todo derecho, ¿sí?
First you have to go straight ahead, right?
Caption 23, Curso de español Direcciones en la ciudad
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Similarly, hay que + infinitive will often be heard in contexts where specific instructions are given, such as cooking a particular recipe or for some other process:
Hay que añadir el agua poco a poco y vamos amasando hasta obtener una mezcla homogénea.
It's necessary to add the water little by little and we start kneading until obtaining a homogeneous mixture.
Captions 11-12, Recetas de cocina Arepas colombianas
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Cuando se bañan, hay que estar seguros de que no se mojen,
When they are bathed, you have to make sure they don't get wet,
Caption 39, La veterinaria "Huesos" visita a la doctora - Part 1
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These are, of course, just a few of the many situations in which you might use or encounter the construction hay que + infinitive.
While haber que + infinitive is probably most commonly seen the present indicative tense, it can also be found in other tenses. Let's see some examples in the imperfect tense , the preterite tense, and the future tense:
Definitivamente había que dejar el trabajo para dedicarme al restaurante.
I definitely had to leave my job to dedicate myself to the restaurant.
Caption 13, La Sub30 Familias - Part 9
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hubo que salir corriendo porque la Señora Di Carlo se moría.
we had to leave running because Mrs. Di Carlo was dying.
Caption 84, Muñeca Brava 2 Venganza - Part 6
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En fin, supongo que habrá que esperar hasta el lunes.
Anyway, I guess that it will have to wait until Monday.
Caption 86, Negocios La solicitud de empleo - Part 2
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And remember that, just like for the present, you only have to remember one form of haber for each tense: había que for the imperfect, hubo que for the preterite, and habrá que in the future. Yabla's lesson entitled Había o habían muchos libros? elaborates further.
As you've probably surmised from our plethora of examples, the construction haber que + infinitive is extremely common and useful, and now that you're familiar with it: hay que practicarlo mucho (you have to practice it a lot)! And don't forget to leave us your suggestions and comments.
The Spanish expression cómo no (literally "how not") is similar to the English "why not": It's a rhetorical question used to add emphasis to an affirmation. You can find an excellent example in this episode of our Argentinian telenovela Yago:
¡Sí, cómo no, suban, suban!
Yes, of course, get in, get in!
Caption 49, Yago - 7 Encuentros
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You must remember that, even when the phrase means "yes" or "of course," formally, it's still a question, so it's very important to place the orthographic accent on the word cómo, as you can see in the following examples:
¿Puedo pasar? -Cómo no, adelante.
May I come in? -Of course, go ahead.
¿Me das una mano? -Claro, cómo no.
Can you give me a hand? -Yes, of course.
Yo le dije: Cómo no, esperamos verlo pronto.
I said to him: Of course, we hope to see you soon.
Be careful, though. The actual question cómo no also exists in Spanish. In the following examples the interrogative word cómo (how) appears before the word no (no), not as an affirmation, but as an indirect question with a negation:
Ay, Dios, ¡cómo no voy a estar tenso con el estúpido de Lucio!
Oh, God, how am I not going to be tense with that stupid guy, Lucio!
Captions 31-32, Yago - 2 El puma
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It can also be used in a direct question:
¿Cómo no vas a saber? ¡Yo te avisé!
How come you don't know? I warned you!
Without an orthographical accent, como no can also occur in Spanish, usually as part of a conditional. It translates as "because" or "since":
Pero como no se venden,
But because they aren't selling you,
habéis recurrido al sistema de la permuta.
have resorted to the swap system.
Caption 42, 75 minutos - Gangas para ricos
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Pero como no vine a corregirte, sino a avisarte que...
But since I didn't come to correct you, but rather to advise you that...
Captions 15-16, Muñeca Brava - 7 El poema
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Thanks for reading.
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