How to pronounce contempo
Say it like kon-TEM-poh. Contempo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contempo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kon
- TEM
- poh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contempo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- konGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- TEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- pohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of contempo
- 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: kon-TEM-poh.
What does contempo mean?
- Contemporary; modern.
Where does contempo come from?
Clipping of contemporary.
Questions about saying contempo
How do you pronounce contempo?
Say kon-TEM-poh. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑnˈtɛmpoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌkɒnˈtɛmpəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contempo?
Contempo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEM). Broken into parts: kon · TEM · poh.
Is contempo 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 /ˌkɒnˈtɛmpəʊ/ (kon-TEM-poh).