The Spanish Word for Guitar

The Spanish word for guitar is guitarra. It is pronounced "gee-TAH-rah" with the stress on the second syllable. The word is spelled with two r's in the middle, which is the most common mistake English speakers make when writing it.

Spanish and English share this word because both languages borrowed it from Arabic centuries ago. The spelling is nearly identical between the two languages, except Spanish adds an extra r and uses the rolled r sound that does not exist in English. If you are writing to a Spanish speaker or labeling something in Spanish, guitarra is the only correct spelling.

Key Takeaways

  • The correct Spanish spelling is guitarra with two r's, not one.
  • The word is pronounced "gee-TAH-rah" with stress on the second syllable.
  • Both Spanish and English borrowed the word from Arabic, which is why they look similar.
  • Common mistakes include spelling it with one r (guitara) or adding an h at the beginning.
  • The spelling never changes, whether you are writing casually or formally, and it is identical across all Spanish-speaking countries.

Breaking Down the Spelling

The word guitarra breaks into clear parts. The first syllable is "gui," which uses the hard g sound (like in "go," not "gym"). The second syllable is "tar," and the third is "ra." When you write it out, you get g-u-i-t-a-r-r-a: eight letters total.

The double r in the middle is essential. In Spanish, a single r between vowels makes a soft rolling sound, while rr makes a stronger rolled sound. This distinction matters for pronunciation, but for spelling purposes, you straightforward need to remember that guitarra always has two r's. There is no alternate spelling, no shorthand version, and no regional variation.

The u after the g is also required. This letter tells Spanish readers to pronounce the g as a hard sound rather than a soft one. Without it, the word would not be recognizable to a Spanish speaker.

Common Spelling Mistakes

The most frequent error is writing guitara with only one r. This happens because English speakers are used to single consonants and do not expect the double r. If you catch yourself making this mistake, remember that Spanish uses double consonants in certain positions, and guitar is one of them.

Another mistake is adding an h at the beginning, spelling it "ghuitarra." This comes from confusion with English words like "ghost" or "ghetto," but Spanish does not use this pattern. The word always starts with a plain g. A third error is forgetting the u after the g, but "gitarra" is not a word in Spanish—the u is required to make the hard g sound.

Some writers also accidentally drop one of the r's entirely or transpose the letters. The safest approach is to write it slowly: g-u-i-t-a-r-r-a. Saying it aloud as you write helps reinforce the double r.

Using Guitarra in Context

When you write guitarra in a sentence, it works like any other Spanish noun. You might write "Tengo una guitarra" (I have a guitar) or "La guitarra es roja" (The guitar is red). The word does not change spelling based on whether you are talking about one guitar or many—that is handled by the article or adjective in front of it.

If you need the plural, it becomes guitarras. You straightforward add an s to the end. The spelling of the root word stays exactly the same: g-u-i-t-a-r-r-a-s. The double r remains in place.

Related Spanish Music Words

Once you have guitarra down, you might encounter related words. A guitarist is a guitarrista (pronounced "gee-tah-REES-tah"). A small guitar is a guitarrilla. An electric guitar is a guitarra eléctrica. An acoustic guitar is a guitarra acústica. All of these keep the double r in the root word.

If you are learning Spanish music vocabulary, notice that these related words follow the same pattern as the base word. Once you remember that guitarra has two r's, you will automatically spell all the variations correctly. The double r is consistent across the entire word family.

Why the Double R Matters

Spanish spelling rules are consistent, and the double r is one of them. Unlike English, where spelling can seem random, Spanish follows patterns you can learn and rely on. The double r in guitarra is not an exception—it is the standard form, and there is no debate about it.

When you are writing in Spanish, whether for a class, a label, a social media post, or a message to a Spanish speaker, using the correct spelling shows respect for the language. It also makes sure your writing is understood without confusion. Guitarra is the only correct way to spell it, and learning this one word correctly helps you build confidence in Spanish spelling overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it guitarra or guitara?

It is always guitarra with two r's. Guitara with one r is not correct in Spanish. The double r is part of the standard spelling and does not change under any circumstance.

How do you pronounce guitarra?

Guitarra is pronounced "gee-TAH-rah." The stress falls on the second syllable (TAH). The double r makes a rolled sound that is stronger than a single r, but in English you can approximate it by rolling the r slightly or saying it like a single r if rolling is difficult.

What is the plural of guitarra?

The plural is guitarras. You add an s to the end. The spelling of guitarra itself does not change—only the ending does.

Do all Spanish-speaking countries spell it the same way?

Yes. Guitarra is spelled identically in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and every other Spanish-speaking country. The spelling is standardized across the Spanish language.

Can I spell it with one r if I am writing casually?

No. Even in casual writing, text messages, or social media, the correct spelling is guitarra with two r's. Spanish spelling does not have a casual or formal version—it is one standard.