How to pronounce koto
Say it like KOH-toh. Koto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce koto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOH
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Koto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of koto
- 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: KOH-toh.
What does koto mean?
- A Japanese stringed instrument having numerous strings, usually seven or thirteen, that are stretched over a convex wooden sounding board and are plucked with three plectra, worn on the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of one hand.
Words that rhyme with koto
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of koto.
Questions about saying koto
How do you pronounce koto?
Say KOH-toh. The American pronunciation is /ˈkoʊtoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈkəʊtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in koto?
Koto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOH). Broken into parts: KOH · toh.
Is koto 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 /ˈkəʊtəʊ/ (KOH-toh).