Every Letter Has One Sound
No silent letters and no spelling surprises.
How It Works
In Esperanto every letter is pronounced and no letter is silent. Each letter has one basic sound, and you can always use it. Real speakers vary a little, and the basic sound is always a safe choice.
That makes reading simple. Say the letters one by one and you have the word.
| Word | Meaning | Read it letter by letter |
|---|---|---|
| kafo | coffee | k, a, f, o |
| lernejo | school | l, e, r, n, e, j, o |
| amiko | friend | a, m, i, k, o |
Two of the same letter in a row are both said. Anno has two n sounds and mallonga (short) has two l sounds. Two vowels in a row are both said too: in treege (extremely) you hear both e sounds.
Examples (4)
- Amara ŝatas kafon.
Amara likes coffee.
Every letter of kafon is said, including the last n.
- Kofi vizitas la lernejon.
Kofi visits the school.
Lernejon has no silent letter: l, e, r, n, e, j, o, n.
- Pedro estas mia amiko.
Pedro is my friend.
Amiko is read as it is written, with a clear i and a clear o.
- Anno kaj Ewa estas amikinoj.
Anno and Ewa are friends.
Anno has two n sounds.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Reading every letter with one sound starts from the letters themselves.
Related Patterns
Practice Every Letter Has One Sound in Bubblegum
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