How to pronounce cardio
Say it like KAR-dee-oh. Cardio has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cardio. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAR
- dee
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cardio pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of cardio
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KAH-dih-oh.
What does cardio mean?
- Cardiovascular; pertaining to the health of the circulatory and respiratory systems.
- Exercise with the goal of raising the heart rate by walking or running on the treadmill.“I did some cardio today instead of lifting weights.”
Where does cardio come from?
Clipping of cardiovascular.
Questions about saying cardio
How do you pronounce cardio?
Say KAR-dee-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑrdioʊ/. In British English it is /ˈkɑːdɪəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cardio?
Cardio has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAR). Broken into parts: KAR · dee · oh.
Is cardio pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkɑːdɪəʊ/ (KAH-dih-oh).