Is there really a difference?

Scholars and purists will tell you that there is a very slight difference in the pronunciation of V and B in Spanish. In reality, however, they are usually pronounced identically; they both make a B sound. In fact, this is the most common spelling error seen among native Spanish speakers, placing a V where a B should go, and vice versa.

This is why, when spelling aloud, many Spanish speakers use the following system:

“Bay de baca” refers to V. What they are actually saying is “V as in Vaca (cow).”

“Bay de burro” refers to B. What they are saying with this is “B as in Burro (donkey).”

*These would actually be spelled “ve de vaca” and “be de burro” in Spanish*

So when you´re spelling the word Oveja aloud, it would be “Oh, vay de vaca, eh, jota, ah.”

To spell Daba  you would say, “Day, ah, bay de burro, ah.”

How exactly does it sound?

Both of these letters sound like the English B. Say “bull” and then “ball.” Do you notice a difference in how you hold your lips for those two B’s? The Spanish B/V is more like the B in “ball.” You hold your lips a little tighter and make the sound a little quicker.

Listen and repeat:

• Balón
• Varón
• Billar
• Vigilar
• Oveja
• Obispo
• Cabo
• Calvo