Xóchitl tiene un xilófono.
SO-chitl TIE-ne un xi-LÓ-fo-no
Xóchitl has a xylophone.
🔊 Listen & Practice
Start with slow speed to master pronunciation, then gradually increase to challenge yourself.
🎨 Visualization
Xóchitl and her xylophone! This one is all about the two sounds of 'x'.
🎯 Pronunciation Focus
The Nahuatl 'x' (s-sound)
/s/In words from Mexico's Nahuatl language, like 'Xóchitl', the 'x' is pronounced just like an 's'. Think of the English word 'so'.
The Standard 'x' (ks-sound)
/ks/In most Spanish words, like 'xilófono', the 'x' sounds like 'ks'. Imagine saying the English words 'taxi' or 'extra'.
Linking Vowels (Synalepha)
/e‿u/Notice how 'tiene' and 'un' flow together smoothly. The final 'e' of 'tiene' blends into the 'u' of 'un' without a pause, creating one continuous sound: 'tiene-un'.
📝 Practice Breakdown
Start with the name. Remember, this 'x' sounds like an 's'. Say 'SO-chitl'. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
Practice linking these two words. Don't pause between them. It should sound like 'tie-ne-un' in one smooth motion.
Now for the second 'x'! This one sounds like 'ks'. Say 'ksee-LÓ-fo-no'. The accent mark tells you to stress the 'LÓ'.
Key Words in This Tongue Twister:
📚 Background
This short but tricky tongue twister is a fantastic way to practice the two main pronunciations of the letter 'x' in Spanish. The name 'Xóchitl' comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs and means 'flower,' which is why its pronunciation is different from standard Spanish words.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Up the 'x' Sounds
Mistake: "Pronouncing 'Xóchitl' with a 'ks' sound (like 'Kso-chitl') or 'xilófono' with an 's' sound (like 'silófono')."
Correction: Remember the rule of thumb: If it's a word with indigenous Mexican roots (like Xóchitl, México), the 'x' often sounds like 's' or 'j'. In most other words (like 'xilófono', 'taxi'), it sounds like 'ks'.
Incorrect Word Stress
Mistake: "Putting the emphasis on the wrong part of 'xilófono', for example, saying 'xi-lo-FO-no'."
Correction: The accent mark (tilde) over the 'ó' is your guide! It tells you exactly where to put the stress. Make that syllable louder and slightly longer: xi-LÓ-fo-no.
🌎 Where It's Used
Mexican Spanish / General Spanish
The name 'Xóchitl' and its 's' pronunciation for 'x' are specific to Mexican Spanish due to its Nahuatl origins. However, the tongue twister is understood everywhere and is a great exercise for mastering the letter 'x'.
🔗 Related Tongue Twisters
The Xylophone Challenge
The goal is clarity, not just speed. Can you say it three times in a row, making sure the two 'x' sounds are perfectly distinct each time? Try it!
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'x' in 'Xóchitl' sound like 's'?
Because 'Xóchitl' is a name from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. In Mexican Spanish, many words from indigenous languages keep their original pronunciation rules. For the letter 'x' in these words, it often sounds like 's' or even the Spanish 'j'.
Are there other words where 'x' sounds like 's'?
Yes, especially in Mexico. The most famous example is the country's name itself: 'México', which is pronounced 'ME-hi-co' (with a 'j' sound), not 'Meksico'. Another is the archaeological site 'Xochicalco' (so-chi-CAL-co).