How to pronounce Moscow
Say it like MOS-koh. Moscow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Moscow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MOS
- koh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Moscow pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of Moscow
- 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: MOS-koh.
Other ways to say Moscow
Moscow also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- MAW-skow /ˈmɔˌskaʊ/
What does Moscow mean?
- A federal city, the capital and largest city of Russia.
Questions about saying Moscow
How do you pronounce Moscow?
Say MOS-koh. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɑˌskoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈmɒˌskəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Moscow?
Moscow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOS). Broken into parts: MOS · koh.
Is Moscow 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 /ˈmɒˌskəʊ/ (MOS-koh).