How to pronounce garbo
Say it like GAR-boh. Garbo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce garbo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GAR
- boh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Garbo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- bohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of garbo
- 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: GAH-boh.
What does garbo mean?
- A rubbish collector; a garbage man.
- Useless or worthless.“This film is garbo; they didn't hire any writers!”
Where does garbo come from?
Clipping of garbage + -o (colloquialising suffix).
Questions about saying garbo
How do you pronounce garbo?
Say GAR-boh. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡɑrboʊ/. In British English it is /ˈɡɑːbəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in garbo?
Garbo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAR). Broken into parts: GAR · boh.
Is garbo 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 /ˈɡɑːbəʊ/ (GAH-boh).