How to pronounce cenote
Say it like seh-NOH-tay. Cenote has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cenote. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- seh
- NOH
- tay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cenote pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sehKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- NOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of cenote
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: seh-NOH-tay.
What does cenote mean?
- A deep natural well or sinkhole, especially in Mexico and Central America, formed by the collapse of surface limestone that exposes groundwater underneath, and sometimes used by the ancient Mayans for sacrificial offerings.
Where does cenote come from?
From Spanish cenote, from Yucatec Maya tsʼonoʼot (“hole with water”).
Questions about saying cenote
How do you pronounce cenote?
Say seh-NOH-tay. The American pronunciation is /sɛˈnoʊteɪ/. In British English it is /sɛˈnəʊteɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cenote?
Cenote has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOH). Broken into parts: seh · NOH · tay.
Is cenote pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /sɛˈnəʊteɪ/ (seh-NOH-tay).