How to pronounce tango
Say it like TANG-goh. Tango has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TANG).
- TANG
- goh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tango pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TANGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- gohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of tango
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: TANG-goh.
What does tango mean?
- A standard ballroom dance in 4/4 time; or a social dance, the Argentine tango.
- A Spanish flamenco dance with different steps from the Argentine.
- A piece of music suited to such a dance.
- To dance the tango.
- To mingle or interact (with each other).
- Alternative letter-case form of Tango from the NATO/ICAO Phonetic Alphabet.
- A target; an enemy.“Tango down!”
Where does tango come from?
Borrowed from Rioplatense Spanish tango, probably from a Niger-Congo language (compare Ibibio tamgu (“to dance”)).
Words that rhyme with tango
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tango.
Questions about saying tango
How do you pronounce tango?
Say TANG-goh. The American pronunciation is /ˈtæŋɡoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈtæŋɡəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tango?
Tango has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TANG). Broken into parts: TANG · goh.
Is tango 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 /ˈtæŋɡəʊ/ (TANG-goh).