How to pronounce tempo
Say it like TEM-poh. Tempo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tempo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEM
- poh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tempo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- pohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of tempo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: TEM-poh.
What does tempo mean?
- (music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
- the rate of some repeating event
Where does tempo come from?
(truck or cargo van): A genericized trademark, originally associated with the manufacturer Vidal & Sohn Tempo-Werke GmbH.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying tempo
How do you pronounce tempo?
Say TEM-poh. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛmˌpoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈtɛmpəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tempo?
Tempo has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEM). Broken into parts: TEM · poh.
Is tempo 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 /ˈtɛmpəʊ/ (TEM-poh).