Notes

Rule 1: Words that end in a vowel, n, or s have stress on the next-to-last (penultimate) syllable and do not require a written accent.

Examples: mesa, cargo, joven, casas



Rule 1a: Words that end in a vowel, n, or s AND have stress on the last syllable require a written accent.

Examples: inglés, sillón, estación



Rule 2: Words that end in all other letters have the stress on the last syllable and do not require a written accent.

Examples: hablar, usted, hotel, papel



Rule 2a: Words that end in all other letters AND do not have the stress on the last syllable require a written accent mark on the stressed syllable.

Examples: lápiz, crédito, espectáculo

A word or two about accents

Written accents are sometimes used to distinguish between words that sound the same but have different meanings. In these cases, the written accent does not affect pronunciation.

Examples:

el = the
él = he
este = this
éste = this one


Note also that question words all have accents for the same reason.

Examples:

que = that
qué = what
como = as, like (also “I eat” from the verb comer)
cómo = how


Tip: Some publications and signs do not use written accents on capital letters. However, it is best to use them whenever you can.


What about accents on my computer?

Since keyboards don't have accent marks, you can use “ALT codes” to get the letters (and symbols) you need to make your Spanish correct on your computer. To use an ALT code, simply hold down the ALT key on your keyboard and type the numbers on your keypad. When you have finished the number sequence, the correct letter or symbol will appear. Here is a list of the Spanish ALT codes and what you will get when you use them. You may want to copy this list and keep it near your computer.


á alt + 0225

Á alt + 0193

¡ alt + 0161

é alt + 0233

É alt + 0201

¿ alt + 0191

í alt + 0237

Í alt + 0205

ñ alt + 0241

ó alt + 0243

Ó alt + 0211

Ñ alt + 0209

ú alt + 0250

Ú alt + 0218

ü (rare) alt + 0252

Ü (rare) alt + 0220


For Mac computers:

á = while holding down “option” push “e” then release both keys and push “a”
é = while holding down “option” push “e” then release both keys and push “e”
í = while holding down “option” push “e” then release both keys and push “i”
ó = while holding down “option” push “e” then release both keys and push “o”
ú = while holding down “option” push “e” then release both keys and push “u”
ñ = while holding down “option” push “n” then release both keys and push “n”
ü = while holding down “option” push “u” then release both keys and push “u”
NOTE: for capital letters, hold down shift when you hit the letter you want accented.