How to pronounce bonzo
Say it like BON-zoh. Bonzo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bonzo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BON
- zoh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bonzo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- zohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of bonzo
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BON-zoh.
What does bonzo mean?
- Alternative form of bonze (“Buddhist monk or priest in East Asia”).
Words that rhyme with bonzo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bonzo.
Questions about saying bonzo
How do you pronounce bonzo?
Say BON-zoh. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑnzoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈbɒnzəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bonzo?
Bonzo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BON). Broken into parts: BON · zoh.
Is bonzo pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈbɒnzəʊ/ (BON-zoh).