3 ms·

Any c+e/i (cena, cine) or z+a/o/u (zarza, zorro, zurrar) is a good heuristic. c+a/o/u sounds like k (casa, cosa, cuchara) and z+e/i does not exist.

• pezezin 1y ago
  Z+e/i does exist, but it is not very common. A few examples: - Words that are only written with Z: zepelín, zigurat, zigzag. - Words that can be written with either Z or C: zénit, zinc, zirconio, azimut.
  • mejutoco 1y ago
    I stand corrected. All of those seem loanwords, but you are absolutely right. My main point is that if you hear the sounds "th" (za) with e or i 99% it is cena or circo and will not be zena or zirco. It is an heuristic but very reliable. P.S. Or pececín, as a random example :P
    • pezezin 1y ago
      You are right, and yes, my nickname is an intentional misspelling from the old cybercafe days when I was a silly teenager trying to look cool xD