In Spanish, many words sound the same with B or V, which sometimes makes us hesitate when writing. But don’t worry! With these rules, you’ll know when to use each one.
When to use “B”
Words that end in -bir (except “vivir”, “servir” and “hibernar”).
Examples: escribir, recibir, percibir.
Words that end in -buir.
Examples: distribuir, contribuir, atribuir.
Words that begin with bu-, bur-, bus-.
Examples: búho, burbuja, búsqueda.
Endings -aba, -abas, -ábamos, -abais, -aban (from the imperfect past tense of verbs ending in -ar).
Examples: cantaba, jugabas, amábamos.
Words with the prefixes bi-, bis-, biz- (meaning “two” or “double”).
Examples: bicicleta, bisabuelo, bizcocho.
After b or m.
Examples: cambio, bomba, embudo.
Words ending in -bundo, -bunda.
Examples: moribundo, vagabunda.
Verbs ending in -buir, -ber and -bir (except “hervir”, “servir” and “vivir”).
Examples: escribir, beber, distribuir.
When to use “V”
After the consonants d, b and n.
Examples: advertir, obvio, invitar.
Words ending in -voro, -vora (meaning “that eats”).
Examples: herbívoro, carnívora.
Words ending in -ivo, -iva (except “embobado” and “silbido”).
Examples: activo, creativa.
Verb tenses whose infinitive does not contain “b” (andar → anduve, estar → estuve, tener → tuve).
Examples: tuve, anduvimos, estuvieron.
Words that begin with eva-, eve-, evi-, evo-.
Examples: evitar, evidente, evolución.
Words ending in -ave, -avo, -eve, -evo* (except “árabe” and “sílaba”).
Examples: suave, octavo, breve, nuevo.
