• Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo

855-997-4652 LOGINTRY A FREE CLASS

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo

855-997-4652 LOGINTRY A FREE CLASS

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
March 19, 2020 by Ashley Reid Spanish Grammar, Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

Spelling Words in Spanish with “C”

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “spelling?” You may relate it to spelling bees or it may take you back to practice spelling lists from elementary school. In this technological age, spelling does not seem as important because we have automatic spell checkers at our disposal, but it is! Especially when learning a foreign language. In this blog post, we will be looking at words that start with “C” in Spanish.  

Not only does practicing Spanish spelling ensure clarity in your writing, but it also improves your fluency and comprehension. 

To work on Spanish spelling, it is good to take it one letter or sound at a time. Let’s get started!

See What you Know about the Letter “C”

Before we look at some Spanish spelling lists, there are a few things you need to know about the letter “C” in Spanish.

Letter Pronunciation 

To be able to spell the following words, you need to know how to say each letter in Spanish! While learning the whole Spanish alphabet is a topic for another blog, we’ll review the basics to help you with the following spelling lists.

C — “say” 

A — “ah”

E — “ay”

I — “ee”

O — “oh”

U — “oo”

L — “elay”

R — “airray”

Vowel Effect

The Spanish spelling lists below are divided into different categories because the letter “C” has a different sound based on what letter follows it, specifically the vowels! This phenomenon exists in English as well (say “circle” and “cat”), but it can take some time to get used to these different sounds. Let’s have a look at some rules to help us make some sense of this.

Spanish words

Basic “C” Pronunciation Rules

  • There are two sounds for the Spanish “C”
  • The hard C has a “k” sound.
  • The soft C has an “s” sound.
  • There is a hard C when the vowels A, O, or U follow it.
  • There is a hard C when any consonant (except for H) follows it. 
  • There is a soft C when the vowels E or I follow it.

Pronunciation Examples

Hard “C”

  • Casa: kah-sah
  • Calmar: kahl-mahr
  • Corona: kohr-ohn-ah

Soft “C”

  • Cien: see-ane
  • Ceniza: say-nee-sah
  • Cenar: say-nahr

Why Pronunciation Matters with Spanish Spelling

While spelling is directly connected to writing, there are so many more areas of language that spelling affects! How many times has someone asked you how you spell your name or a certain word? A lot, right? To be able to answer such questions, you need to know how to spell and pronounce words in Spanish. Connecting letters to their correct pronunciation is imperative to create fluency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Spanish. 

Knowing how to spell and pronounce words will help you understand spoken Spanish and read quicker as well. To make sure you use these Spanish spelling lists to the fullest, say the words, spell them out loud, and write them down. Doing these things will improve your Spanish exponentially! 

Spanish Spelling Lists: Letter C

Whether you are a Spanish teacher, a student, or even a parent looking for Spanish resources for your kids, these Spanish spelling lists are a great resource for you. Each list is divided into categories based on the number of letters in the words. 

If you (or your students) are younger or are just starting to learn Spanish, begin by practicing some short, simple words to spell! Remember to say the word in Spanish before and after spelling it, and if possible, say each letter in Spanish as well! ¡Buena suerte!

CA- Words

SpanishPronunciationEnglish
4-letter Words
cafékah-faycoffee
cajakah-hahbox
camakah-mahbed
carokah-rohexpensive
casakah-sahhouse
casikah-seealmost
5-letter Words
cabrakah-brahgoat
carrokahr-rohcar
6-letter Words
cabezakah-bay-sahhead
camiónkah-mee-ohntruck
camisakah-mee-sahshirt
7-letter Words
camarónkah-mahr-ohnshrimp
8-letter Words
cangrejokahn-gray-hohcrab

CE- Words

SpanishPronunciationEnglish
4-letter Words
cejasay-haheyebrow
celossay-lohsjealousy
cerosair-ohzero
5-letter Words
celdasail-dahcell
cenarsay-nahrto eat dinner
cerrosayr-rohhill
6-letter Words
centrosain-trohcenter
7-letter Words
cebollasay-boh-yahonion
celularsay-lool-lahrcellular/cellphone
8-letter Words
celebrarsay-lay-brahrcelebrate

CI- words

SpanishPronunciationEnglish
4-letter Words
ciensee-ainone hundred
cineseen-aycinema/movie theater
citasee-tahdate/appointment
5-letter Words
cicloseek-lohcycle
ciegosee-ay-gohblind
6-letter Words
ciertosee-air-tohtrue
ciudadsee-oo-dahdcity
7-letter Words
cienciasee-ain-see-ahscience

CO- words

SpanishPronunciationEnglish
4-letter Words
cocokoh-cohcoconut
colakoh-lahtail/line of people
comokoh-mohhow/like
cosakoh-sahthing
5-letter Words
colorkoh-lohrcolor
comerkoh-mairto eat
coserkoh-sairsew
6-letter Words
cocinakoh-seen-ahkitchen
collarkoh-yahrnecklace
contarkohn-tahrto count
7-letter Words
colegiokoh-lay-gee-ohschool
8-letter Words
columpiokoh-loom-pee-ohswing

CU- words

SpanishPronunciationEnglish
4-letter Words
cualkwahlwhich
cunakoohn-ahcrib
curakooh-rahcure
5-letter Words
culpakool-pahfault
6-letter Words
cuandokwahn-dohwhen
cuántokwan-tohhow much/how many
cubrirkoo-breerto cover
cuentokwain-tohstory
cuernokwair-nohhorn
7-letter Words
cucharakoo-chahr-ahspoon
cuidadokoo-ee-dah-dohcareful
culebrakoo-lay-brahsnake
8-letter Words
cultivarkool-tee-vahrto cultivate

CL- words

SpanishPronunciationEnglish
4-letter Words
clonklohnclone
clubkloobclub
5-letter Words
claroklah-rohclear/of course
claseklah-sayclass
clavoklah-bohnail (tool)
climaklee-mahclimate/weather
6-letter Words
clavarklah-bahrto nail
7-letter Words
clienteklee-ain-tayclient
clásicoklah-see-cohclassic

CR- words

SpanishPronunciationEnglish
4-letter Words
cruzkrooscross
5-letter Words
crearkray-ahrto create
creerkray-airto believe
cremakray-mahcream/lotion
criarkree-ahrto raise
crudokroo-dohraw
cruelkroo-ailcruel
6-letter Words
crimenkree-maincrime
crujirkroo-heerto crunch
cruzarkroo-sahrto cross
8-letter Words
creativokray-ah-tee-bohcreative

Start Spelling in Spanish!

You now have several great Spanish spelling resources to improve your Spanish writing and fluency. Print out some of these lists, hang them up around your house or classroom, and practice them whenever you have a chance. Remember, la práctica hace al maestro. If you have any questions, or if you would like to practice your spelling with a Spanish-speaking person, try a free class with one of our amazing teachers! They will take your Spanish spelling to the net level. Happy spelling!

sign up for a free trial class
Sign up for your FREE TRIAL CLASS today!

Want to Read More About Spanish Resources for Beginners? Check These Out!

  • Solo vs Solamente: What’s the Difference?
  • A Comprehensive Lesson on Demonstrative Adjectives in Spanish
  • Using Diminutives in Spanish for More Colorful Conversations
  • A Simple Intermediate Guide to Subjunctive Conditional Spanish
  • Cuál vs Qué: What’s the Difference?
  • Is it ‘Que’ or ‘De Que’? Find Out Which to Use and When
  • How to Master Plurals in Spanish Grammar
  • Your Guide to Future Irregulars in Spanish Grammar (with Free Cheat Sheet)
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ashley Reid
Ashley Reid
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
I have a B.A. in Linguistics and a passion for Spanish. I've lived in Latin America for almost a decade. I'm a freelance writer and ESL teacher, as well as a loving mom and wife. In my free time, I dabble in art and music.
Ashley Reid
Latest posts by Ashley Reid (see all)
  • Latin American Food: 15 Must-Try National Dishes of Latin America - January 2, 2021
  • The Ultimate Guide to Subjunctive Conjugation in Spanish - December 27, 2020
  • Estar Subjunctive: Present and Past Tense Subjunctive - December 23, 2020
spanish c pronunciation spanish spelling word with c in spanish
0

Related Posts

mission trip

Mission Trip Spanish You Need to Know to Survive!

July 31, 2018
Read More
Spanish commands

Spanish Commands: How to Form Them and Use Them with Your Crew

February 19, 2019
Read More
Spanish days of the week

Spanish Days of the Week

February 18, 2019
Read More
Spanish body parts

Spanish Body Parts: Vocabulary and Idioms

February 21, 2019
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

50 Essential Medical Spanish Phrases for Your Upcoming PhysicalPrevious Post
How March Equinox Differs in the Northern and Southern HemispheresNext Post

About Us

HSA offers Spanish curricula for all ages. Schedule classes on any day of the week – you can take them on your own, or share a class and save money! We make it easy to learn at your own pace. LEARN MORE >

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • Take a Free Class
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • The Fascinating Origin and History of Flag Day in Mexico
    The Fascinating Origin and History of Flag Day in Mexico
    February 24, 2021
    Did you know that in Mexico they have a...
  • ¿Qué Onda? Its Meaning, Origin, and Common Usage
    ¿Qué Onda? Its Meaning, Origin, and Common Usage
    February 24, 2021
    ¿Qué onda? is a question that Spanish...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact UsSitemap© 2021 HSA. All rights reserved.