Minimal pair · Mexican Spanish; starter contrasts also occur widely elsewhere
Spanish /e/ vs /i//e/ versus /i/
Conditional priority: screen the mid/high distinction for learners whose L1 or observed errors warrant it. Do not infer difficulty from nationality or assign this lesson automatically to all learners.
Practice these soundsA close-mid, unrounded vowel
A front vowel without rounded lips. Compare it with the other complete vowel.
A close, unrounded vowel
The tongue is high and toward the front. Listen to the vowel as one complete sound.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Conditional priority: screen the mid/high distinction for learners whose L1 or observed errors warrant it. Do not infer difficulty from nationality or assign this lesson automatically to all learners.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each word14 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.