How to pronounce legato
Say it like luh-GAH-toh. Legato has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce legato. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- luh
- GAH
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Legato pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- GAHSay 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 legato
- 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: luh-GAH-toh.
What does legato mean?
- Smoothly, in a connected manner.“Play this passage legato, not portato.”
- A style of performance characterized by smoothly connected notes.
- A passage that is played legato.
Where does legato come from?
Borrowed from Italian legato, past participle of legare (“to tie up, tie together, to bind”), learned borrowing from Latin ligō (“tie, bind”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with legato
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of legato.
Questions about saying legato
How do you pronounce legato?
Say luh-GAH-toh. The American pronunciation is /ləˈɡɑtoʊ/. In British English it is /ləˈɡɑtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in legato?
Legato has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GAH). Broken into parts: luh · GAH · toh.
Is legato 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 /ləˈɡɑtəʊ/ (luh-GAH-toh).