Short answer:
The Spanish alphabet has 27 letters. In Rioplatense Spanish (Argentina and Uruguay), the letters are the same as in other Spanish-speaking countries, but their names and pronunciation have distinctive regional features, especially for ll, y, and z.
How Many Letters Are in the Spanish Alphabet?
The modern Spanish alphabet has 27 letters:
- 26 letters from the Latin alphabet
- Plus ñ
Letters like ch and ll are no longer considered separate letters, but they still appear frequently in Spanish words.
The Spanish Alphabet (A–Z + Ñ)
Below is the Spanish alphabet with letter names and Rioplatense pronunciation hints.
| Letter | Name in Spanish | Rioplatense pronunciation |
| A | a | ah |
| B | be | beh |
| C | ce | seh |
| D | de | deh |
| E | e | eh |
| F | efe | EH-feh |
| G | ge | heh |
| H | hache | AH-cheh |
| I | i | ee |
| J | jota | HO-tah |
| K | ka | kah |
| L | ele | EH-leh |
| M | eme | EH-meh |
| N | ene | EH-neh |
| Ñ | eñe | EH-nyeh |
| O | o | oh |
| P | pe | peh |
| Q | cu | koo |
| R | erre | EH-rreh |
| S | ese | EH-seh |
| T | te | teh |
| U | u | oo |
| V | ve | veh |
| W | doble ve | DO-bleh veh |
| X | equis | EH-kees |
| Y | ye | she / zhe |
| Z | zeta | SEH-tah |
Key Rioplatense Pronunciation Features
Y and LL
In Rioplatense Spanish:
- y and ll are pronounced like “sh” or “zh”
Examples:
- yo → sho / zho
- lluvia → shuvia
This feature is called yeísmo rehilado and is one of the most distinctive traits of the region.
B and V
- b and v sound the same in Spanish
- There is no difference in pronunciation, including in Argentina
Example:
- vino and bino sound identical
C, S, and Z in Argentina
In Rioplatense Spanish:
- c (before e or i), s, and z are all pronounced like “s”
Example:
- cena, sapo, zorro → all use an s sound
H Is Always Silent
- h is never pronounced in Spanish
Example:
- hola → OH-la
Why Learn the Alphabet in Spanish?
Learning the alphabet helps you:
- Spell your name
- Understand spelling rules
- Use dictionaries and forms
- Improve pronunciation from the start
It’s especially useful when learning Spanish in a new country.
Is the Alphabet Different in Argentina?
The letters are the same everywhere, but Rioplatense Spanish stands out for:
- Pronunciation of y and ll
- Rhythm and intonation
- Everyday spoken usage
Learning locally helps you understand how Spanish is actually spoken, not just how it’s written.
At our school, beginners practice the alphabet through real-life situations, not isolated drills.