Spanish · Pronunciation Guide

How do you pronounce "claro" in Spanish?

Q: How do you pronounce claro in Spanish?

claro is pronounced with the stress described below. In IPA it is written /ˈkla.ɾo/. It means “of course / clear.” KLAH-roh, two beats with a bright l and a single tapped r.

KLAH-roh, two beats with a bright l and a single tapped r.

claro /ˈkla.ɾo/

Two syllables — CLA-ro — with the stress on the first, as the default rule prescribes. As an adjective it agrees in all four forms; as the standalone interjection meaning of course it stays fixed in this masculine singular shape. The stress placement is identical in both roles.

Listen: claro

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Sound it out

cla A hard k with no puff of air, running straight into a bright forward l with no vowel between them, then a wide-open "ah" carrying the stress.

ro A single tap of the tongue tip and a pure "oh". One flick only — this r sits between vowels, so it never trills.

Hear it in a sentence

Claro, con mucho gusto.

Of course, with pleasure.

Listen: Claro, con mucho gusto.

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"Claro, con mucho gusto" uses the interjection sense, and "con mucho gusto" is a set phrase meaning gladly — literally with much pleasure. "Gusto" is stressed GUS-to with a hard g and a rounded "oo". Note that "mucho" here modifies a noun, which is exactly when you use it rather than "muy".

Where English speakers slip

The r invites an English curl, which colours the "ah" and turns the word into something like "CLAR-oh". It is a single forward flick with the vowel left clean. The l then wants darkening after the k, when Spanish keeps it bright. And the final o wants reducing to "uh", which flattens the ending of what is meant to be an emphatic word.