Spanish Accent Marks (Tildes)
Spanish accent marks are not decoration. They tell you which syllable to stress, and they separate words that look the same. The rules are regular, so once you learn them you can write and pronounce almost any word correctly.
Quick answer
- Words ending in a vowel, n, or s stress the next-to-last syllable: casa, hablan, lunes
- Other words stress the last syllable: hablar, ciudad, reloj
- An accent mark shows an exception: café, canción, lápiz
The two basic stress rules
Words ending in a vowel, n, or s are stressed on the next-to-last syllable. Words ending in any other consonant are stressed on the last syllable. These words need no accent.
Examples
- La casa es grande.The house is big.Ends in a vowel: stress on CA.
- Ellos hablan español.They speak Spanish.Ends in n: stress on HA.
- Quiero hablar contigo.I want to talk with you.Ends in r: stress on BLAR.
- La ciudad es bonita.The city is pretty.Ends in d: stress on DAD.
When you need a written accent
If a word breaks those rules, it gets an accent on the stressed vowel. Café ends in a vowel but is stressed on the last syllable. Lápiz ends in z but is stressed on the first. And all words stressed on the third-to-last syllable have an accent: teléfono, música.
Examples
- Quiero un café.I want a coffee.Stress on the last syllable, ends in a vowel.
- Necesito un lápiz.I need a pencil.Stress on the first syllable, ends in z.
- Me gusta la música.I like music.Third-to-last syllable.
- Es una canción bonita.It is a pretty song.Ends in n but stressed on the last syllable.
Accents that change meaning
Some short words use an accent to separate meanings. The accent is not about stress here.
| Without accent | With accent |
|---|---|
| tu (your) | tú (you) |
| el (the) | él (he) |
| mi (my) | mí (me) |
| si (if) | sí (yes) |
| se (reflexive) | sé (I know) |
| mas (but) | más (more) |
| que (that) | qué (what) |
| como (like) | cómo (how) |
Examples
- Tú hablas muy bien.You speak very well.Tú = you.
- Tu casa es bonita.Your house is pretty.Tu = your.
- ¿Qué quieres?What do you want?Qué = what.
- Quiero más agua.I want more water.Más = more.
Question words always have accents
In questions and exclamations, question words carry an accent: qué, quién, cómo, dónde, cuándo, cuánto, por qué. In statements they do not: No sé dónde vive has an accent because it is an indirect question, while Esa es la casa donde vivo does not.
Examples
- ¿Dónde vives?Where do you live?Direct question.
- No sé dónde vive.I do not know where he lives.Indirect question.
- Esta es la casa donde vivo.This is the house where I live.No accent.
Spanish around the world
- Accent rules are the same in every country. When you type on a phone or keyboard, you can usually hold a vowel key to select accented letters, or use a Spanish keyboard layout.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Tu eres mi amigo.
Correct: Tú eres mi amigo.
Tú (you) needs an accent.
Incorrect: Que quieres?
Correct: ¿Qué quieres?
Questions need an accent and opening mark.
Incorrect: Mi amiga habla con mi.
Correct: Mi amiga habla conmigo.
With me is conmigo.
Incorrect: Cafe con leche.
Correct: Café con leche.
The stress is on the last syllable.
Remember the rules
- Vowel, n, or s: stress the next-to-last syllable.
- Any other consonant: stress the last syllable.
- Break the rule? Write the accent. Question words always take an accent.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some words have accents and others do not?
The accent marks stress when it breaks the standard rules and separates words with the same spelling.
Do capital letters need accents?
Yes. Write África and Álvaro with accents.
Does ñ count as an accent?
No. The letter ñ is a separate letter with its own sound.
How do I type accents?
On most phones, hold the vowel. On a computer, use the Spanish or US International keyboard layout.
Ready to practice your Spanish?
Accent marks are easier with practice. Try a short, free session.
Keep learning
Spanish Pronunciation Guide: How to Pronounce Spanish Words
The five vowels, the letters that trip up English speakers, and the stress rule that tells you how to say any word.
A1Spanish Question Words: Qué, Cuál, Cómo, Cuándo, Dónde
Learn the ten question words you need most, how to build a question, and why every one of them carries an accent.
A2Qué vs. Cuál in Spanish: Rules and Examples
Both can be “what” in English. See why Spanish asks “¿Cuál es tu nombre?” and “¿Qué es esto?”