Listen and compare · 14
CEFR B2
Review the contrast after listening
¿Quieres té o café?
/ˈkjeɾes te o kaˈfe/
Choose between tea and coffee; the expected reply names a drink.
¿Quieres té o café?
/ˈkjeɾes te o kaˈfe/
Do you want either tea or coffee at all? A yes/no offer.
What tells the two sounds apart
- two choicesFor the castellano alternative reading here, rise on té and fall on café, setting up two choices.
- yes/no offerFor the yes/no reading here, use a final rise over the offer. Context must make this reading available.
Why it is hard
The printed o does not determine the response on its own. These identical words have two contextual readings; the IPA shows segments, not a tune. In this careful Spain model, the alternative contour contrasts with a final rise for a yes/no offer. Other varieties and conversational settings can use different contours. Task: Listen to the first six questions with the words, IPA and expected-reply labels closed. Describe the contours you actually hear and suggest replies compatible with them; do not treat a contour as proof of one intention. Record no audible contrast when appropriate. Then open the contexts and compare. For ¿Prefieres hablar ahora o después?, create a compulsory scheduling choice and an optional invitation to talk that can be declined; produce both in their contexts and give a plausible reply to each.
¿Prefieres hablar ahora o después?
To practise
- ¿Vienes hoy o mañana?/ˈbjenes oi o maˈɲana/Choose a day; answer hoy or mañana.
- ¿Lo quieres en papel o en pantalla?/lo ˈkjeɾes en paˈpel o en panˈtaʝa/Choose a format; answer with the format.
- ¿Quieres agua o zumo?/ˈkjeɾes ˈaɡwa o ˈθumo/The host asks whether you want a drink at all; no is possible.
- ¿Necesitas un lápiz o un bolígrafo?/neθeˈsitas un ˈlapiθ o un boˈliɡɾafo/The host offers either writing tool; ask whether one is needed.