How to pronounce telephoto
Say it like TEL-uh-foh-toh. Telephoto has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce telephoto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEL
- uh
- foh
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Telephoto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- fohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of telephoto
- 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: TEL-uh-foh-toh.
What does telephoto mean?
- Of or pertaining to a lens system used to produce an enlarged image of a distant object.
- A photograph taken through a telephoto lens.
- A telephoto lens.
- Synonym of telephotograph.
Where does telephoto come from?
From tele- + photo.
Questions about saying telephoto
How do you pronounce telephoto?
Say TEL-uh-foh-toh. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛləˌfoʊtoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈtɛləˌfəʊtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in telephoto?
Telephoto has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEL). Broken into parts: TEL · uh · foh · toh.
Is telephoto 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 /ˈtɛləˌfəʊtəʊ/ (TEL-uh-foh-toh).