How to pronounce sumo
Say it like SOO-moh. Sumo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOO).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sumo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈsumoʊ/SOO-moh
UK British/ˈsuːməʊ/SOO-moh
- SOO
- moh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sumo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- mohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of sumo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: SOO-moh.
What does sumo mean?
noun
- A stylised Japanese form of wrestling in which a wrestler loses if he is forced from the ring, or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground.
- A rikishi (sumo wrestler).
Questions about saying sumo
How do you pronounce sumo?
Say SOO-moh. The American pronunciation is /ˈsumoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈsuːməʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sumo?
Sumo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOO). Broken into parts: SOO · moh.
Is sumo 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 /ˈsuːməʊ/ (SOO-moh).