El hipopótamo Hipo está con hipo. ¿Quién le quita el hipo al hipopótamo Hipo?
El hipopótamo Hipo está con hipo. ¿Quién le quita el hipo al hipopótamo Hipo?
The hippopotamus Hipo has the hiccups. Who will cure the hiccup of the hippopotamus Hipo?
Why Is It Hard?
The Spanish word hipopótamo (hippopotamus) and the name Hipo and the word hipo (hiccup) all share the same hipo sound. The sentence uses all three in close proximity. Spanish speakers must mentally track whether they are saying the animal, the name, or the hiccup while delivering the sounds identically. The question at the end compounds the challenge by requiring the full hipopótamo Hipo construction again.
History
This tongue twister is a favourite in Spanish nursery schools and primary classrooms. The image of a hippo named Hippo with hiccups is charming and memorable for children. It appears in Spanish speech development workbooks throughout Spain and Latin America and is often the first tongue twister Spanish-speaking children learn.
Tips for Saying It
- Know the three meanings: animal (hipopótamo), name (Hipo), hiccup (hipo).
- The rhythm is question-and-answer — use that structure to pace yourself.
- Practise hipopótamo alone until you can say it without hesitation.
More Spanish Tongue Twisters
- Spanish Tongue Twisters — full Spanish collection
- Pablito Clavó un Clavito — another classic Spanish twister
- Tongue Twisters for Kids — great for children
Find hundreds more on alltonguetwisters.com.