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pronunciation.written-accents-diacritical

Diacritical tildes: tú/tu, él/el, sí/si

Same sound, different word: tú (you)/tu (your), él (he)/el (the), sí (yes)/si (if), sé (I know)/se, dé/de, té/te, más/mas, mí/mi — plus all question words: qué, dónde, cuándo.

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Explanation

The tilde distinguishes stressed words from their unstressed twins: tú tienes tu llave; sí, si querés; sé que se fue. Question/exclamation words keep it even embedded: no sé dónde está.

Post-2010 reform: solo and the demonstrative pronouns (este, ese, aquel) no longer require it; ó between numbers is gone (2 o 3).

The diacritical tilde separates a stressed word from an identical unstressed twin: tú tienes tu llave, sé que se fue, sí, si querés. Question and exclamation words keep it even when embedded (no sé dónde está). Note the 2010 reform: solo and the demonstratives (este, ese, aquel) no longer require an accent, and ó between numerals is gone (2 o 3).

Examples

Sí, sé que tu hermano está con él.
Yes, I know your brother is with him.

Region: global

¿Querés más té? — No, mi café está bien.
Want more tea? — No, my coffee is fine.

Region: global

Sé que tú tienes tu razón, y sí, si querés, te ayudo.
I know you have your reason, and yes, if you want, I'll help you.

Region: global

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