How to roll your R in Spanish (the rr trill)

Tap vs. trill: why it matters

Spanish has two R sounds. The single r between vowels is one quick tap, like the tt in American "butter". The double rr, and an r at the start of a word, is a trill: several fast taps in a row. Mixing them changes the word: pero (but) vs. perro (dog), caro (expensive) vs. carro (car).

Step by step

1. Say "butter" quickly in an American accent. The tt is the Spanish tap. Now say pero.
2. Place the tip of your tongue on the ridge behind your top teeth (the alveolar ridge). Keep the tongue relaxed, not pressed.
3. Blow a steady stream of air and let the tip vibrate, like a motor: "drrr". Starting with d (drrr, trrr) helps many people.
4. Once you get a flutter, slide it into words: perro, carro, rápido.

Practice phrases

• perro — dog
• carro — car
• El perro corre rápido. — The dog runs fast.
• Roma, rosa, río — r at the start of a word is always rolled

Common mistakes

• Pushing the tongue hard against the teeth: it needs to be loose to vibrate
• Using the English r (tongue curled back)
• Trilling every r: a single r between vowels is just one tap

Most people need a few days of short practice before the trill comes. Vocavoy's Accent Coach listens to you say perro and carro and tells you whether it heard the trill or the tap.