French "r":
* Uvular trill: The sound is produced by vibrating the uvula (the fleshy part at the back of the roof of your mouth) against the back of the tongue.
* Single tap: The "r" in French is typically a single, quick tap of the uvula, not a sustained trill like in Spanish.
* Can be silent: French "r" often becomes silent before consonants, especially when followed by a vowel.
Spanish "r":
* Alveolar trill: The sound is produced by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge (the bony ridge just behind your teeth).
* Multiple taps: The "r" in Spanish is typically a sustained trill with multiple taps of the tongue.
* Always pronounced: Spanish "r" is always pronounced, regardless of its position in a word.
Differences in practice:
* Intensity: The Spanish "r" is typically louder and more intense than the French "r," partly due to the multiple taps.
* Duration: The Spanish "r" can be a more prolonged sound, while the French "r" is often a quick, single tap.
Example:
* French "rire" (to laugh): The "r" sound is a single, quick tap of the uvula, often barely audible.
* Spanish "río" (river): The "r" sound is a sustained trill with multiple taps of the tongue.
In summary:
The French "r" is a uvular trill with a single tap, often silent before consonants, while the Spanish "r" is an alveolar trill with multiple taps and is always pronounced.