How do I pronounce the trilled Spanish RR? The websites that I found from the Internet are not helpful at all.

Question

For example, people trill their RR when they say "Flooorrrrrr" in Spanish. I find that very interesting and I would love to learn it. I know I have to flap my tongue like a flag but how? Can somebody tell me where to put my tongue and how to shape my lips etc. Any ideas will be great. Thanks!

Answer 1

It is very difficult - if you say the word gutter really fast, you can get the general sound of it. The t in gutter puts your tongue on the roof of your mouth where it need to be to roll your r, which comes next in the word. The next part is where it is tricky - you have to let the air flap your tongue back and forth, which does not feel natural. It takes a lot of practice to relax your tongue.

Answer 2

Extremely difficult to describe since I've really never been able to do it. You either already know how to make that sound or not. Otherwise I've found that you really have to be practicing speaking Spanish a long time in order to do it. I got to a point where I could KIND OF do it, but it's been awhile and I'm somewhat out of practice. You kind of have to put the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and expel air and the same time you are trying to pronounce those RR words.....

Answer 3

Ok its like this... You use the tip of the tongue. Doesn't matter what your lips are doing. the tip of your tongue hits the mid roof of your mouth. As you make an "Arrrrrrrr" sound, tense up the back of the tongue and let the tip roll. You know how your tongue shapes in a bowl shape to make the American "R". I think your tongue goes lower and flatter in the back. .Dont let the "RRrr" sound from the middle of the tongue..kind of push it to the tip. You might have to do it strong and loud to get the first affect. I would think it takes practice.. And once you get your first Rrrrrr...=)...you'll find your own "way" in doing it. Much luck! =)

Answer 4

you can practice the rolling r by saying in rapid succession a t and a d alternately. i have used it for russian, and you may find that tr comes first easiest to pronounce and if you advance you may even make the difference between "pero" and "perro". the first with one flap of the the tongue, the second with two or more.

Answer 5

Im not sure that "r" version is used at the end of words, (i.e. floor is the english word for piso) but im sure you know that already

Make a motorboat sound with your tounge, and place it in the midde of a word like "carro".

Good Luck - you should ask someone to show you. and practice makes perfect. "perfect practice that is"

Answer 6

try to imitate a cat's purr...