How to pronounce Rio
Say it like REE-oh. Rio has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Rio. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REE
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rio pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of Rio
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: REE-oh.
What does Rio mean?
- the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
Words that rhyme with Rio
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Rio.
Questions about saying Rio
How do you pronounce Rio?
Say REE-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˈrioʊ/. In British English it is /ˈriːəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Rio?
Rio has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REE). Broken into parts: REE · oh.
Is Rio 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 /ˈriːəʊ/ (REE-oh).