Chapter I - Pronunciation and spelling (III)

1.1 Vowels

1.1.1 Oral vowels

i -- example -- pronounced as

         mina -- feet


o -- example -- pronounced as

open o -- porta -- iozenge

closed o -- moço -- torso

unstressed o -- moço -- zoo



u -- example -- pronounced as


       -- luta -- loot


The u is silent* in que, qui, gue and gui (quente, quilo, guerra, guita) and pronounced in qua, quo and gua (quatro, quórum, guarda)

* there are some expections where the u is read: tranquilo, equestre, etc.

Chapter I - Pronunciation and spelling (II)

1.1 Vowels

1.1.1 Oral vowels

e -- example -- pronounced as

open e -- cheque -- cheque

closed e -- cabelo (hair) -- fill

unstressed e -- leque (hand-held fan) -- bake

as conjunction, or -- e (and) --                          eel
as first syllable of word -- elástico (elastic) --    eel

Chapter I - Pronunciation and spelling

1.1 Vowels

1.1.1 Oral vowels

a -- example -- pronounced as

open a -- gato (cat) -- fat

closed a -- sapato (shoe) -- about

unstresses a -- boca (mouth) -- announce