The letter X in Spanish is one of the most fascinating and unique letters in the entire alphabet. Unlike most Spanish letters that follow predictable pronunciation rules, the letter X can be pronounced in four completely different ways depending on the word and its origin. Today, we'll explore these four distinct pronunciations so you can master this tricky but important Spanish letter.
The most frequent pronunciation of X in Spanish sounds like "ks" - the same as in English. This occurs in three specific situations:
When X appears between two vowels, it always sounds like [ks].
examen (exam) - pronounced "ek-SAH-men"
taxi - pronounced "TAHK-see"
Aunque, yo he de tomar un taxi
Although, I have to take a taxi
Caption 32, Aprendiendo con Silvia Expresiones y significados del verbo tomar - Part 1
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When X is followed by any consonant, it typically sounds like [ks].
texto (text) - pronounced "TEHK-sto"
experiencia (experience) - pronounced "ehks-peh-ree-EHN-see-ah"
El guión es el texto que contiene la historia, los diálogos y las acciones de una película.
The script is the text that contains a film's story, dialogues and actions.
Caption 46, Vocabulario de cine y películas Industria y producción - Part 2
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When X closes a word, it maintains the [ks] sound.
relax - pronounced "reh-LAHKS"
At the beginning of words, X always sounds like a simple "s." This happens because Spanish doesn't naturally start words with the "ks" sound.
xenofobia (xenophobia) - pronounced "seh-noh-FOH-bee-ah"
xilófono (xylophone) - pronounced "see-LOH-foh-noh"
por ejemplo, la marimba, el xilófono o la cortina.
for example, the marimba, the xylophone, or the chimes.
Caption 67, Luis Guitarra Instrumentos musicales
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This is perhaps the most interesting pronunciation! In certain Mexican place names and words of indigenous origin, X is pronounced like the Spanish "j" (which sounds like the English "h").
México - pronounced "MEH-hee-ko"
Oaxaca - pronounced "oh-ah-HAH-kah"
Texas - pronounced "TEH-hahs"
This pronunciation exists because these words come from Nahuatl, where X originally represented a "sh" sound. Over time, this evolved into the modern "j" sound, but the original X spelling was preserved.
La conexión de la música ha venido desde México
The musical connection has come from Mexico
Caption 15, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Fernando y el mariachi
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The name Ximena (pronounced "hee-MEH-nah") also uses this "j" sound, but it has a different story. Unlike the Mexican place names above, Ximena isn't from Nahuatl - it's an archaic Spanish spelling of the name Jimena.
Es que Susana vio a Vargas con Ximena,
It's just that Susana saw Vargas with Ximena,
Caption 12, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 8 - Part 4
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In a few indigenous place names, X still retains its original "sh" pronunciation from native languages:
Xela (Guatemala) - pronounced "SHEH-lah"
To master X pronunciation in Spanish, remember these simple rules:
Most common: X = [ks] (like English)
Word beginning: X = [s]
Mexican places: X = [j/h sound]
Some indigenous names: X = [sh]
Understanding these four pronunciations will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking Spanish. The letter X may seem complicated at first, but with practice, you'll quickly recognize which pronunciation to use based on the word's origin and position.
Remember, when in doubt, the [ks] pronunciation is usually your safest bet for most Spanish words with X!
We'd love to hear how you're progressing with Spanish pronunciation - don't hesitate to reach out with your questions and feedback!
Do you ever feel like practicing your Spanish over the phone? In this lesson, we would like to share with you the most important verbs you need to know when making or talking about a phone call. Also, we will show you the words you can use if you are wondering how to answer the phone in Spanish.
This is probably the most important verb when you want to indicate that you are making a call. Let's see some useful sentences.
When you are about to call someone:
Un momento, voy a llamar por teléfono.
One moment, I'm going to call [them].
Caption 6, Ariana - Cita médica
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When you want to say that you called someone:
Cuando llamé por teléfono, era para hablar con Lucio.
When I called on the phone, it was to talk to Lucio.
Caption 23, Yago - 14 La peruana
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When you want to indicate that someone called someone:
La primera vez que tu papá me llamó, no fue a la casa.
The first time your dad called me, it was not to the house.
Caption 42, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 5
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Of course, when you call someone, you expect an answer. Let's see this verb in action.
Disculpa, estaba en una reunión y no pude responder tu llamada.
Sorry, I was in a meeting and I couldn't answer your call.
You can also use the verb contestar (to answer) in this situation:
Que pena, discúlpame.
I'm sorry, excuse me.
Tengo que contestar esta llamada.
I have to answer this call.
Captions 8-9, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 3 - Part 1
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The example above also provides us with another very useful noun: llamada (a call).
By the way, do you know how to answer the phone in Spanish? In English, we say 'hello' but what's about in Spanish? There are several options:
Literally, bueno means 'fine' or 'well'. However, in this context, you can take bueno as a simple 'hello'. This way of answering the phone is very common in Mexico.
This is the Spanish equivalent of 'hello'.
Literally, this means 'yes'. It is also a very normal way of answering the phone in Spanish.
The translation of this is 'tell me'. A very common way of answering the phone in Spain.
This way of answering the phone is very popular in Colombia. It works as a simple 'hello'.
Some people prefer to answer the phone according to the time of the day so you can say buenos días (good morning), buenas tardes (good afternoon) or buenas noches (good night).
This is the verb you use when you need to get off the phone.
When you want to tell someone that you need to go:
Oye, tengo que colgar porque vamos a comer.
Listen, I have to hang up because we're going to eat.
Captions 56-57, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 8
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When you want to say that someone hung up on you or someone else:
Una mina llamó por teléfono a tu celular.
A girl called your cell phone.
Elena atendió, ella preguntó por vos y entonces Elena le dijo,
Elena answered, she asked for you and then Elena said to her,
"¿Quién habla?"
"Who is it?"
Y la mina colgó.
And the girl hung up.
Captions 43-45, Yago - 11 Prisión
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From the example above, you can also see that the verb atender (to respond) is another verb you can use instead of responder (to answer). Also, keep in mind that when talking about a smartphone you use the word celular throughout Latin America and the word móvil in Spain. If you prefer, you can also use the word teléfono (telephone).
Of course, you talk over the phone so if you want to express that action, you can say it like our friend Silvia from El Aula Azul:
Estoy hablando por teléfono.
I'm talking on the telephone.
Yo hablo por teléfono.
I talk on the telephone.
Captions 49-50, El Aula Azul - Actividades diarias: En casa con Silvia
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A phone call is about listening to someone else so this is a very important verb especially when you want to make sure the other person is able to listen to you.
Me puedes escuchar?
Can you hear me?
You can also use the verb oir (to hear) in this context:
¿Qué tal?
How are you?
Muy bien.
Very well.
Y ahora que te oigo, de maravilla.
And now that I hear you, wonderful.
Captions 33-35, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 3 - Part 13
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And that's it for today. Are you ready to make a phone call in Spanish? We hope so. And don't forget to send us your comments and suggestions.
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