Hot or 'Ot'? English H Actually Breathes

In Spanish, the letter H is basically decorative — 'hola' starts with pure vowel sound. That habit can quietly follow you into English, where H is a real, breathy consonant you need to produce. Words like 'hot,' 'house,' and 'hello' all need a little exhale right at the start, almost like you're fogging up a mirror. Without it, 'hot' can sound like 'ot,' and 'house' can sound like 'ouse' — small changes that can confuse listeners. Here's a fast way to check yourself: hold your hand a few inches in front of your mouth and say 'hot, house, hello.' You should feel a puff of air hit your palm on the H. If you don't feel anything, exaggerate it at first — really push the breath out. Practice with a handful of H-words today, hand in front of your face, and listen for that little breath. It's a small habit that makes a big difference in how clearly you're understood.