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Homophones in Spanish: same sound, different meaning

Are you looking for a list of homophones in Spanish? This is the one you need!

Homophones are words that are pronounced like other words, but have a different spelling or meaning.

For example, bello (beautiful) sounds the same as vello (fuzz, hair).

There are many lists on the internet with words that sound the same in Spanish.

However, most of those words aren’t really used by native Spanish speakers in their everyday lives.

So stick to this one if you really want to be understood!

Words that sound the same in Spanish (but not in Spain!)

Since I’m from Argentina, some of the following homophones in Spanish are such only in Latin America, but not in Spain.

This happens because in Latin America we speak with seseo, that is, we pronounce the c (before an e and an i) and the z as an s.

That’s why in Latin America these words sound the same in Spanish.

However, for most native speakers from Spain and their characteristic ceceo (the pronunciation of the c as th in English), the difference is clear.

Having said that, let’s go!

List of homophones in Spanish

a = a (letter); to (preposition)
ah = ah (exclamation)
ha = present perfect of haber (there is, there are) for the third person singular

abrazar = to hug, to embrace
abrasar = to burn

abría = imperfect of abrir (to open) for the first and third person singular
habría = conditional of haber

ahí = there
ay = oh, ouch (exclamation)
hay = there is, there are

aprender = to learn
aprehender = apprehend

as = ace
haz = imperative of hacer (to do, to make)

asar = to roast, to grill
azar = fate, chance

Asia = Asia
hacia = towards
hacía = imperfect of hacer for the first and third person singular

Two people on a date - homophones in Spanish
Vos tenés una voz hermosa. Foto de Samson Katt en Pexels

basto = club (Spanish card deck)
vasto = vast, huge

bacilo = bacillus
vacilo = present of vacilar (to dither) for the first person singular

bah = huh, bah (exclamation)
va = present of ir (to go) for the third person singular

barón = baron, magnate
varón = boy (son)

basar = to base on
bazar = dollar store, pound shop

baya = berry
valla = fence, hurdle
vaya = present subjunctive of ir for the first and third person singular

bazo = spleen
vaso = glass

bello = beautiful
vello = fuzz, hair

bienes = assets, goods
vienes = present of venir (to come) for the second person singular

botar = to fire, to sack, to throw out
votar = to vote

casa = house
caza = hunting, present of cazar (to hunt) for the third person singular

cede = present of ceder (to give up, to transfer) for the third person singular
sede = headquarters

cien = one hundred
sien = temple (head)

cierra = present of cerrar (to close) for the third person singular
sierra = saw, mountains

ciervo = deer
siervo = servant

cocer = to boil, to cook
coser = to sew

concejo = council
consejo = advice

grabar = to record, to film
gravar = to levy, to tax

halla = present of hallar (to find) for the third person singular
haya = present subjunctive of haber for first and third person singular

hierba = herb, grass
hierva = present subjunctive of hervir (to boil) for the first and third person singular

hola = hello
ola = wave

hecho = incident, fact, done
echo = present of echar (to throw, to fire, to give off) for the first person singular

hiena = hyena
llena = present of llenar (to fill) for the third person singular; full (feminine form)

rallar = to grate
rayar = to scratch

rebelar = to rebel, to rebolt
revelar = to reveal, to disclose

sumo = supreme
zumo = juice

tubo = tube, pipe
tuvo = preterite of tener (to have) for the third person singular

tasa = fee, rate
taza = cup, mug

vos = second person singular pronoun in some countries and regions of Latin America
voz = voice

And that’s all for today!

Do you want to learn more Spanish?

I hope you have enjoyed this article about the homophones in Spanish!

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Thank you very much and until next time,

Kevin.

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