Acento (en. Accent)

/aˈsento/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
noun
Elements that allow distinguishing the prosody of a language.
The accent in Spanish can change the meaning of a word.
El acento en español puede cambiar el significado de una palabra.
In phonetics, the greater intensity or emphasis given to a syllable in a word.
The word 'Teléfono' has the accent on the penultimate syllable.
La palabra 'Teléfono' tiene el acento en la penúltima sílaba.
Particular pronunciation of a language by native speakers from different regions.
The Argentine accent is clearly distinguished from the Chilean.
El acento argentino se distingue claramente del chileno.

Etymology

From Latin 'acentus', which means 'tonality'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

Foreign accent
Pronunciation that reveals a non-native origin of a language.
acento extranjero
With an accent
It's said of someone who speaks with a particular accent.
con acento

Related Words

Accentuation
The process of marking the accent in words.
acentuación
To accentuate
To vocalize with emphasis on a syllable or a note.
acentuar

Slang Meanings

Pronounced accent
That guy speaks with a pronounced accent from his town.
Ese chico habla con un acento marcadito de su pueblo.
Neutral accent
The actress has a neutral accent that makes her ideal for dubbing.
La actriz tiene un acento neutro que la hace ideal para doblaje.