A1.2 - Telling your name

The alphabet

El alfabeto

El alfabeto en español: aprende a deletrear palabras, por ejemplo, tu nombre cuando conoces a alguien nuevo.

(The Spanish alphabet: learn to spell words, for example, your name when you meet someone new.)

What matters in Spanish spelling (for names, emails, forms)

  • You write what you hear more often than in English, but there are a few key letters to watch.
  • When you give your name, people may ask: “¿Cómo se escribe?” (How is it spelled?).
  • In professional contexts, it’s common to spell with examples: “A de Árbol, B de Barco…”

The 3 letters that confuse English speakers most: Ñ, H, LL

Ñ Unique Spanish letter (not “N”). Sounds like ny.

niño ≈ “ninyo”

Muñoz ≈ “Munyoth/Munyos” (accent varies by region)
H Usually silent. You still write it.

hola ≈ “ola”

hotel ≈ “otel”
LL Often sounds like “y” (in many accents).

llama ≈ “yama”

calle ≈ “kaye/kaʝe”

Note: Pronunciation of LL can vary by country (sometimes closer to “j” in English “vision”). For A1, treat it as y.

Accents (á, é, í, ó, ú): what they change and why you must keep them

  • An accent mark can change stress and sometimes meaning.
  • In names, accents are part of the spelling (important for badges, emails, HR systems).
José Jose Different stress. The accent shows where to emphasize.
Málaga Malaga The written accent guides pronunciation and correct form.

Diéresis (ü): the small mark with a big job

  • ü is used mainly with güe / güi.
  • It means: pronounce the “u” (otherwise it would be silent).
pingüino the u is pronounced: “pin-GWI-no”
vergüenza the u is pronounced: “ver-GWEN-tha / ver-GWEN-sa”

Presenting yourself: “llamarse” vs “ser” (the two safe options)

  • ¿Cómo te llamas? = What’s your name? (literally: How do you call yourself?)
  • Me llamo Marta. = My name is Marta.
  • Soy Luis. = I’m Luis. (also very common and natural)
Question Answer (llamarse) Answer (ser)
¿Cómo te llamas? Me llamo Ana. Soy Ana.
¿Cómo se llama? (formal) Me llamo Sr. López. Soy el Sr. López.

Common mistake: Mi nombre soy Carlos → Mi nombre es Carlos / Soy Carlos.

Spelling out loud: a practical mini-script for work situations

  1. Start: “Se escribe…” (It’s spelled…)
  2. Say the letters: “A-N-A”
  3. If needed, clarify: “con acento” / “con ñ” / “con h”
  • Se escribe: A-N-A.
  • José, con acento: J-O-S-É.
  • Muñoz, con ñ: M-U-Ñ-O-Z.
  • Hola, con h: H-O-L-A.

Self-check: what you should pay attention to

  • Did you use Ñ (not N) when you hear “ny”?
  • Did you write the silent H when the word has it?
  • Did you keep accent marks in names and places?
  • When introducing yourself, did you choose one correct pattern?
    • Me llamo + name
    • Soy + name
    • Mi nombre es + name
  1. There are 27 letters in the alphabet.
  2. There are 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 22 consonants.
  3. Accents (á, é, í, ó, ú).
  4. Diaeresis (ü).
A: Árbol (Tree)J: Jugar (To play)R: Ratón (Mouse)
B: Barco (Boat)K: Kiwi (Kiwi)S: Sol (Sun)
C: Casa (House)L: Luna  (Moon )T: Tigre (Tiger)
D: Dado (Die)M: Manzana (Apple)U: Uva (Grape)
E: Elefante (Elephant)N: Nube (Cloud)V: Vaca (Cow)
F: Flor (Flower)Ñ: Mañana (Tomorrow)W: Wi-fi (Wi-fi)
G: Gato (Cat)O: Oso (Bear)X: Xilófono (Xylophone)
H: Helado (Ice cream)P: Perro (Dog)Y: Yate (Yacht)
I: Isla (Island)Q: Queso (Cheese)Z: Zapato (Shoe)

Exceptions!

  1. “Ñ” is a unique letter in the Spanish alphabet and is pronounced like “ny”. Example: "niño" is pronounced "ninyo" .
  2. “H” is silent in most cases. Example: "hola" is pronounced "ola".
  3. "LL" is pronounced like a "y". Example: "llama" is pronounced "yama".

Exercise 1: Grammar in action

Instruction: In pairs, introduce yourselves and spell your first and last names aloud.

Show/Hide translation
Situation
En tu primer día de trabajo, conoces a un nuevo compañero español.
(On your first day at work, you meet a new Spanish colleague.)
Discuss
  • ¿Cómo te llamas? ¿Puedes deletrear tu nombre? (What is your name? Can you spell your name?)
  • ¿Cuál es tu apellido y cómo se escribe? ¿Tienes algún apodo? (What is your last name and how is it spelled? Do you have a nickname?)
Useful words and phrases
  • ¿Cómo te llamas? / Yo me llamo... (What is your name? / My name is...)
  • Mi nombre es... / Mi apellido es... (My name is... / My last name is...)
  • Se escribe: A de Árbol, B de Barco, Ñ de Mañana (It's spelled: A as in Árbol, B as in Barco, Ñ as in Mañana)
Use in conversation
  • Deletrear nombres y apellidos con el alfabeto (Spell first and last names using the alphabet)
  • Usar llamarse para presentarse (Use llamarse to introduce yourself)

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