How can I roll my Rs?

Question

I am learning Spanish but i really can't roll my Rs. I have tried a few techniques but i have not made much progress. Does anybody have any suggestions of how to do it? Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

First, as was said, there is an English sound that is pretty close, such as tt in butter or battery.

Also, unlike the English r, you can't pucker your lips or it will make it incredibly harder to do.

Answer 2

I think you're supposed to say "butterbutterbutter" over and over and get progressively faster. Also try growling (or immitate the exhale of snoring) to get the feel of your upper mouth vibrating. Try not to place the sound too deep in the throat...it shouldn't be like hocking a loogie.

Honestly, though, if you go to a Spanish speaking country and don't roll your 'r's, they'll still understand you. I was trying to order a 'jarra' (pitcher) one time at a bar in Peru and over-rolled the rr and the guy just laughed at me and said ok. They understand the difficulty.

Answer 3

try saying pot o' tea really fast over and over.  it makes the same sound eventually.  you'll get the hang of it.  my very first spanish teacher taught me this trick and now i have no problems.

Answer 4

There used to be a series of commercials for Ruffles potato chips where they did it, and everyone in my class learned by imitating the commercials...Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrruffles have rrrrrrrrrridges!

Or you could purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr like a kitten, or try to ring like an old fashioned telephone.  brrrrrrrrrrrrring!

All of those helped me.

Answer 5

Open your mouth about an inch wide.

Put your tongue not quite to the roof of your mouth.

Breathe out forcefully, trying to get the breath under the tongue.

Difficult to explain, but that's the basics.

Answer 6

try to make the vrrroom vrrroom sound that a car engine would make but like put a lot of emphasis on it..on the r specifically like the roaring of the engine... that might help.

it comes naturally to me.. so im not sure.. hope it helps