Mañana come Manolo.
ma-ÑA-na CO-me ma-NO-lo
Manolo eats tomorrow.
🔊 Listen & Practice
Start with slow speed to master pronunciation, then gradually increase to challenge yourself.
🎨 Visualization
Mañana come Manolo. Can you say it without mixing up your M's and N's?
🎯 Pronunciation Focus
The 'ñ' Sound (eñe)
/ɲ/This sound is unique to Spanish and a few other languages. To make it, press the middle of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and make a nasal sound, similar to the 'ny' in the English word 'canyon'.
Nasal Sound Repetition ('m' and 'n')
/m/ /n/This tongue twister drills the rapid succession of similar nasal sounds. Focus on clearly articulating the 'm' (lips together) and 'n' (tongue behind teeth) to avoid them blurring together.
📝 Practice Breakdown
Start by mastering the 'ñ'. Feel the middle of your tongue rise to the roof of your mouth. Say it slowly: ma-ÑA-na. It should feel different from a regular 'n'.
Now, focus on the mouth movements. For 'come', your lips press together for the 'm'. For 'Manolo', your tongue taps behind your teeth for the 'n'. Exaggerate the difference at first.
Put it all together. The goal is to say it smoothly without the 'm' and 'n' sounds becoming lazy or blending. Keep it crisp!
Key Words in This Tongue Twister:
📚 Background
This is a simple but highly effective pronunciation drill, often used with children first learning to write and speak Spanish. Its main purpose is to practice the crucial 'ñ' sound and distinguish it from the similar 'm' and 'n' sounds in quick succession.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pronouncing 'ñ' like 'n'
Mistake: "Saying 'manana' with a regular 'n' sound, like in the English word 'banana'."
Correction: The little wave (called a 'tilde') over the 'ñ' is a huge deal! It creates a totally different sound. Think of the 'ny' in 'canyon' or 'onion'. It's one smooth sound, not two separate letters.
Mumbling the M's and N's
Mistake: "Letting the sounds blend together, so it sounds like one long 'mmmmmnnnn' sound without clear word breaks."
Correction: Be deliberate. For the 'm' in 'come', fully close your lips. For the 'n' in 'Manolo', make sure the tip of your tongue is firmly touching the ridge behind your top teeth. Slow practice helps build the muscle memory for clear separation.
🌎 Where It's Used
General Spanish
This is a universal and basic pronunciation exercise used across the entire Spanish-speaking world, especially in educational settings for young native speakers and new learners.
🔗 Related Tongue Twisters
The Manolo Mumble Marathon
Say 'Mañana come Manolo' five times in a row, getting faster each time. Record yourself to see if you can keep the 'ñ', 'm', and 'n' sounds perfectly clear and distinct!
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'ñ' so important in Spanish?
The 'ñ' is a completely separate letter from 'n' in the Spanish alphabet! Using the wrong one can completely change a word's meaning. The most famous example is 'año' (year) vs. 'ano' (anus). Getting the 'ñ' right is essential for clear communication.
Is 'Manolo' a common name?
Yes, Manolo is a very common and friendly nickname for the formal name 'Manuel', especially in Spain but also understood throughout Latin America.