Las dos reglas de acento — The Two Default Stress Rules
📏 Las dos reglas de acento — The Two Default Stress Rules
Rule 1 — word ends in a vowel, n, or s → stress the PENULTIMATE (second-to-last) syllable
| Word | Syllables | Stressed syllable |
|---|---|---|
| casa | CA-sa | CA |
| hablan | HA-blan | HA |
| coches | CO-ches | CO |
| libro | LI-bro | LI |
Rule 2 — word ends in any other consonant → stress the LAST syllable
| Word | Syllables | Stressed syllable |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | ha-BLAR | BLAR |
| ciudad | ciu-DAD | DAD |
| papel | pa-PEL | PEL |
| reloj | re-LOJ | LOJ |
⭐ The big picture
These two rules cover the vast majority of Spanish words. When neither applies — because the stress falls somewhere unexpected — a written accent overrides the rule and shows you exactly where to stress.
A written accent (tilde) in Spanish is never decorative. It always does one of three jobs:
Earn the mark scheme marks
⚠️ Errores frecuentes — Common Accent Errors
❌ Error 1: Writing hablo when you mean "he/she spoke"
✅ Correct: habló
Why it costs marks: Without the accent, hablo = I speak (present tense, 1st person). The accent on -ó marks 3rd person singular preterite — a completely different tense and person. The examiner cannot credit the wrong tense under AO3 (accuracy).
❌ Error 2: Writing ¿Que haces? (no accent on que)
✅ Correct: ¿Qué haces?
Why it costs marks: ¿Qué? (what?) always carries an accent — it is a question word. Without the accent, que = that/which (a subordinating conjunction), turning the sentence into nonsense. Accents on question words are mandatory in both writing papers.