Readers Respond: Learning To Pronounce the Spanish RR

Responses: 27

By Gerald Erichsen, About.com Guide

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I use the "pot-o-tea"/para ti with my students, to teach the once-trilled R sound in the middle of a word. I have them say pot-o-tea 3X to feel where the tongue hits on the roof of the mouth. I don't know where I first heard this technique, but it helped me and has helped others. The RR is more difficult, forcing air through the mouth while the tongue is in the same position is what I do and advise others to do.
—Guest Nanette

You have to sort of flutter your tongue against the back of your teeth. Words like carro and perro are very hard, since your mouth is wide open at the start, and has to close to do the rr's. But burrito has a burst, with your mouth closed, and is easier. I practiced burrito over and over, trying to make the rr's roll, and after a month, it was pretty good.
—Ringcycle

I thought that being able to roll the tongue was a genetic thing, where some people can and some can't. I speak Spanish and Italian and I roll well.
—Guest pinero

I sat in front of a mirror and looked at tongue position and repeatedly made rr sound -- English speaker and I did get it!
—Guest holajudy

I do it with my epiglottis, and it seems to me that it's really a tongue wagging for others - more like the tip of the tongue. I've tried that and I get quickly frustrated and go back to the epiglottis.
—Guest Sam B

Here's how to get as close as possible to the real pronunciation of those double rr's. Say (in English) "better wetter letter getter." Say it again, faster. That's it so now analyze what your lips and tongue are doing when you say the 'tt's in 'better wetter letter getter."
—Guest Cathy

What helped me the most was to practice imitating the sound of a kid's bicycle when they put a card against the spokes with a clamp of some sort. When they go faster, more rapid the sound. For practice after that there is a rhyme that goes something like this, and it is a wonderful practice that all spanish speakers I have met know. RR con RR cigarro, RR con RR barril, Tan Rapido corren los carros de ferrocarril. When you master that, you will be congratulated by you spanish-speaking friends.
—Guest niceguynga@yahoo.com

When I first began learning Spanish, I couldn't get a single r to roll. I tried and I tried and nothing worked - (let's say I'm trying to pronounce "correr") the "e" would just be super elongated and it would sound absolutely terrible! So, one day, when no one else was at home (so that I wouldn't embarrass myself trying to practice this out loud) I kept saying "erre" over and over again. Some of my rr's were elongated, some were short, but I kept doing this for about 5 minutes until - miraculously - a roll popped out of my mouth! After that, I was so excited that I could finally roll my rr's that I had a bit of a hard time controlling myself because I started to roll EVERY r...even when it wasn't necessary! Who knows - this probably isn't going to work for everyone; but I went from a non-roller to being able to roll my r's ever since. Just keep trying - it may take you longer than 5 minutes, but it certainly doesn't hurt to give it a try!
—kepelek

Just pretend you're a little kid playing in the dirt with your toy cars. Then make the "motor noise" with your tongue (RRRRR) as you "drive" the cars around.
—Guest Linda

I have been trying for years with no success, and I have never heard of anyone (English speakers) developing the skill. They either can or they can't. I will be watching for new strategies!!
—Guest Gretchen

With your tongue in position to say the English letter D simply blow hard, either with or without vocal chord vibration. You can add voice (vocal chord vibration) later. Remember that a language is a SKILL so practice making the sounds out loud is the key.
—Guest Profe Nora

My native language is Danish. Have been speaking Spanish for 20 years. To learn the RR really well I was repeating the word PeRRo (dog) for like 3 months morning, noon and night. Slowly I got the hang of it...
—Trygve01

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Gerald Erichsen
Spanish Language Guide