Un burro comía berros.
un BU-rro co-MÍ-a BE-rros
A donkey was eating watercress.
🔊 Listen & Practice
Start with slow speed to master pronunciation, then gradually increase to challenge yourself.
🎨 Visualization
This happy donkey is practicing his 'rr' sounds while eating watercress!
🎯 Pronunciation Focus
The Rolled 'rr' (vibrante múltiple)
/r/This is the star of the show! The 'rr' in 'burro' and 'berros' is a trilled sound. You make it by resting the tip of your tongue on the ridge behind your top teeth and blowing air over it to make it vibrate, like a motor starting or a cat purring.
The Spanish 'b' Sound
/b/The 'b' in 'burro' and 'berros' is softer than in English. Simply press your lips together gently without the strong puff of air that you'd use for the English word 'boy'. In Spanish, 'b' and 'v' make the exact same sound.
📝 Practice Breakdown
Start here. Focus all your attention on the 'rr' in 'burro'. Try to get a good, strong vibration from your tongue. It's okay if it sounds exaggerated at first!
Now, repeat that strong 'rr' vibration in 'berros'. Try to say the whole phrase smoothly, linking 'comía' and 'berros' together.
Key Words in This Tongue Twister:
📚 Background
This is a short, classic 'trabalenguas' that serves as a perfect workout for the Spanish rolled 'rr' sound. Because the 'rr' is one of the most challenging sounds for non-native speakers, this little phrase is a go-to exercise for learners and native-speaking children alike.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Tapping Instead of Rolling
Mistake: "Using a single-tap 'r' (like the 'r' in 'caro') instead of the trilled 'rr'. This makes 'burro' (donkey) sound like 'buro' (a word for office)."
Correction: The 'rr' isn't a tap; it's a vibration. Place the tip of your tongue just behind your top teeth and blow air to make it flutter. It takes practice! Try starting with a 'drrrr' sound and then dropping the 'd'.
Using the English 'r'
Mistake: "Making the 'r' sound in the back of the throat, like the 'r' in the English word 'car' or 'red'."
Correction: Forget the back of your throat! The Spanish 'rr' is all about the front of your mouth. The action happens right at the tip of your tongue. Keep it light and forward.
🌎 Where It's Used
General Spanish
This is a universally known tongue twister used for pronunciation practice across all Spanish-speaking countries.
🔗 Related Tongue Twisters
The Donkey's Dinner Dash
Can you say it five times in a row, getting faster each time? Focus on keeping the 'rr' in 'burro' and 'berros' rolling strong every single time!
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the rolled 'rr' so hard for English speakers?
It's a sound that doesn't exist in most English dialects, so it requires training new muscle memory in your tongue. It's like learning a new athletic skill! Your tongue literally has to learn to vibrate in a new way. Be patient and consistent, and it will click.
Is there a trick to learning the rolled 'rr'?
Many people find success by starting with words that have a 'tr' or 'dr' sound, like 'tres' or 'drama'. Say the 'dr' part over and over ('dr-dr-dr-dr') and notice how your tongue is already in the right place and tapping. From there, try to extend that tap into a longer vibration or trill.