How to pronounce theorbo
Say it like thee-OR-boh. Theorbo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce theorbo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- thee
- OR
- boh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Theorbo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- theeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- bohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of theorbo
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: thee-AW-boh.
What does theorbo mean?
- A baroque, double-necked lute having an extra set of open bass strings.
Questions about saying theorbo
How do you pronounce theorbo?
Say thee-OR-boh. The American pronunciation is /θiˈɔrboʊ/. In British English it is /θiˈɔːbəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in theorbo?
Theorbo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OR). Broken into parts: thee · OR · boh.
Is theorbo pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /θiˈɔːbəʊ/ (thee-AW-boh).