ll / ñ / tt / dd
Palatal Sounds
Four spellings write palatal sounds: ll (Pello), ñ (Iñaki), tt (Mattin) and dd (Maddi).
How It Works
- ll sounds like the lli in English million: Pello (a man's name), tortilla.
- ñ sounds like the ny in English canyon: Iñaki, Iruñea (Pamplona), andereño (a woman teacher).
- tt is a t made with the middle of the tongue against the roof of the mouth: Mattin (a man's name), ttipi (little, a Northern word).
- dd is the matching d: Maddi, Maddalen.
Affectionate forms. Turning a sound palatal can make a word small or sweet: tanta (drop) becomes ttantta (little drop). Words with s-like sounds do the same with x and tx. See z, s and x and diminutives -txo, -xka.
Palatal sounds after i. In most regions, l and n become palatal after i (or after a diphthong ending in i) when a vowel follows: mutila (the boy), oiloa (the hen), baina (but). Write them with plain l and n. A few words and names keep the plain sound anyway, such as lili (lily) and the name Ainhoa.
In Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, tt often sounds just like tx, and dd is rare.
Examples (5)
- Iñaki eta Pello lagunak dira.
Iñaki and Pello are friends.
Word by Word: Iñaki and Pello friends-the are.
- Mattin eta Maddi anai-arrebak dira.
Mattin and Maddi are brother and sister.
Word by Word: Mattin and Maddi brother-sister-the are.
Tt and dd are common in names.
- Gure andereñoa Iruñekoa da.
Our teacher is from Pamplona.
Word by Word: Our teacher-the Pamplona-from-the is.
Andereño (a woman teacher, used in schools) and Iruñea (Pamplona) both have ñ.
- Mutila etxean dago.
The boy is at home.
Word by Word: Boy-the house-in is.
Many speakers say mutilla, but the spelling has a single l.
- Ur ttantta bat, mesedez.
Just a little drop of water, please.
Word by Word: Water little-drop one, please.
Ttantta is the affectionate form of tanta (drop).
Common Mistakes
Writing the palatal sound you hear after i.
Mutilla etxean dago.Mutila etxean dago.After i, l often sounds palatal, but the standard spelling does not show it. Write mutila.
Writing ñ in baina.
Kafea nahi dut, baña ez orain.Kafea nahi dut, baina ez orain.Baina (but) is often said like baña, but it is written with i and n.
Spelling ñ as ny.
Inyaki nire laguna da.Iñaki nire laguna da.Basque writes this sound with the letter ñ.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Palatal sounds build on the affricates, where tx already sounds palatal.
Related Patterns
- The Basque Alphabet
Shows ñ as a letter of its own and ll, tt and dd as letter pairs.
Level 1 - z / s / xThe Sibilants Z, S and X
Covers the sh sound that affectionate forms also use.
Level 1 - h / jThe Letters H and J
Explains the h that is written but often not said, as in the name Ainhoa.
Level 1 - -txo / -xkaLittle Ones: -txo, -xka
Another way to make words small or affectionate.
Level 4
Practice ll / ñ / tt / dd in Bubblegum
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