Spanish Spelling rules: when to write C, Q, Z, K

Indice contenido

Learn Spanish spelling of C, Q, Z and K. Learn to differentiate when each of these letters is written.

Learn the spelling rules in Spanish, writting in Spanish

Video use c, z, q, k and examples

Video to learn Spanish spelling of c, z, q and k. With pronunciation Spanish from Spain

When to use C, Z, Q and K

Theory, spelling rules c, z, q, k

The letter C represents two different phonemes in Spanish, the phoneme / k / and the phoneme / θ /

In addition, these phonemes can also be written with other letters, the Q, Z and K.
Know the spelling rules will help us to know when to write each one of these letters.

Spanish spelling of the phoneme / k /

Letter C is written

When the sound is followed by the vowels A, O, U

  • CA: Casa, cabeza
  • CO: comer, coche
  • CU: escuela, cubierto

When the sound is followed by other consonants, forming a consonant group

  • CR: Cristal, escribir
  • CL: Clave, clima
  • CH: coche, chaqueta

At the end of the syllable: picnic

Letter Q is written

When the sound is followed by the vowels E, I
*
* Remember that a silent U is added between the Q and the vowel: QUE, QUI

  • QUE: Queso, vaquero
  • QUI: conquista, máquina

We can find QA in some words that come from foreign languages, such as: Qatar, el país

Letter K is written

Followed by vowel in words that come from other languages

  • kilo, koala, Kilimanjaro, kamikaze…

Spanish spelling of the phoneme /θ/

Letter C is written

Followed by vowels E, I

  • CE: Ceja, cacerola
  • CI: Cigarra, cocinar

We may find words with ZE and ZI that come from other languages like: Zeus, zigzag

Letter Z is written

Followed by vowels A, O, U

  • ZA: Zapato, zanahoria
  • ZO: zorro, lazo
  • ZU: zumo, azúcar

At the end of a syllable

  • In the middle of the word: Bizcocho
  • Or at the end of the word: Disfraz

Dictations and exercises to practice c, z, q, k

Esta entrada también está disponible en: Spanish