How to pronounce erhu
Say it like UR-hoo. Erhu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce erhu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈɝhu/UR-hoo
UK British/ˈɜːhuː/UR-hoo
- UR
- hoo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Erhu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- URSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- hooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of erhu
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UR-hoo.
What does erhu mean?
noun
- A type of bowed spike fiddle having two strings, originating in China as part of the huqin family of string instruments.
Questions about saying erhu
How do you pronounce erhu?
Say UR-hoo. The American pronunciation is /ˈɝhu/. In British English it is /ˈɜːhuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in erhu?
Erhu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UR). Broken into parts: UR · hoo.
Is erhu 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 /ˈɜːhuː/ (UR-hoo).