
π In Action
La palabra 'barco' comienza con la be.
A1The word 'barco' (boat) starts with the letter B.
Si deletreas tu apellido, ΒΏes con be o con uve?
A2If you spell your last name, is it with B or with V?
π‘ Grammar Points
Gender of Letters
In Spanish, all names for letters of the alphabet are treated as feminine nouns, so you must always use 'la' before them (la be, la efe, la ge).
β Common Pitfalls
Confusing B and V
Mistake: "Using 'be' when you mean 'uve' (the letter V)."
Correction: Since the B and V sounds are almost identical in Spanish, people often clarify by calling the B 'be grande' (big B) and the V 'uve chica' (small V) when spelling aloud.
β Usage Tips
Spelling Clarification
When spelling a word to someone, if you say 'be,' they might ask 'ΒΏBe de burro?' (B like in donkey?) to confirm which letter you mean.
βοΈ Quick Practice
π‘ Quick Quiz: be
Question 1 of 1
Which of the following is the most common way Spanish speakers clarify that they are referring to the letter 'B' and not 'V'?
π More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Spanish speakers sometimes say 'be grande' instead of just 'be'?
They say 'be grande' (big B) to avoid confusion with the letter V, which is called 'uve' or sometimes 've chica' (small V). This practice helps listeners distinguish between the two letters when spelling words aloud, as they sound almost identical.