b and v: two spellings, one phoneme
CEFR A1
baca
/ˈbaka/
roof rack
vaca
/ˈbaka/
cow
What tells the two sounds apart
- /b/Both b and v represent /b/. After a pause, close both lips and release them.
- [β̞]Between vowels, the lips usually approach without fully closing. This is a variant of /b/, not English /v/.
Why it is hard
English distinguishes b and v, but the usual Spanish model does not. “Baca” and “vaca” sound alike: use meaning and spelling to tell them apart. Repeat both with the same first sound. The change between [b] and [β̞] depends on the surrounding sounds, not on which letter is written. This shared b/v phoneme also applies across the Americas.
La vaca está junto al camino.
To practise
- boca/ˈboka/mouth
- vino/ˈbino/wine
- bebé/beˈbe/baby
- vivir/biˈbiɾ/to live