How to pronounce contrapposto
Say it like kon-truh-POS-toh. Contrapposto has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contrapposto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kon
- truh
- POS
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contrapposto 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.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of contrapposto
- 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-truh-POS-toh.
What does contrapposto mean?
- The position of a human figure whose hips and legs are twisted away from the direction of the head and shoulders; (countable) an instance of this.
Where does contrapposto come from?
The plural form contrapposti is borrowed from Italian contrapposti, the masculine plural form of contrapposto.
Questions about saying contrapposto
How do you pronounce contrapposto?
Say kon-truh-POS-toh. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntrəˈpɑstoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntrəˈpɒstəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contrapposto?
Contrapposto has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POS). Broken into parts: kon · truh · POS · toh.
Is contrapposto 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 /ˌkɒntrəˈpɒstəʊ/ (kon-truh-POS-toh).