Pronouncing the Spanish K and Q in Spanish

The Spanish k is pronounced basically the same as it usually is in English, except perhaps a bit softer, often something like the c in scatter. The q is pronounced the same. As in English, the Spanish q is always followed by a u except in a very few words of foreign origin. Spanish is even more particular in the sequences in which the q is used: the qu is always followed by by an e or an i, and the u is silent. Thus que is pronounced something like keh would be in English and quien is pronounced something like kyen. The sound is also the same as the c sound except when the c precedes an e or i. In order to maintain the correct pronunciation, the Spanish cognates of English words with qua or quo are often spelled with a c in Spanish instead. Thus the Spanish word for quartz is cuarzo, and the word for quota is cuota. The k is rare in Spanish, used almost exclusively for words of foreign origin such as kilo and kayak. In the audio lesson on pronouncing the k and q  sounds  you will hear the phrase quà © tal and the number quince spoken by native speakers.