How to pronounce Tuvalu
Say it like too-VAH-loo. Tuvalu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Tuvalu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- too
- VAH
- loo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tuvalu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- VAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- looKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of Tuvalu
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
British respelling: too-vuh-LOO.
What does Tuvalu mean?
- A country and archipelago of Polynesia in Oceania. Capital and largest city: Funafuti.
Where does Tuvalu come from?
From Tuvaluan Tuuvalu (literally “eight standing together”) in reference to the eight inhabited islands of Tuvalu, although Tuvalu consists of nine islands.
Questions about saying Tuvalu
How do you pronounce Tuvalu?
Say too-VAH-loo. The American pronunciation is /tuˈvɑlu/. In British English it is /ˌtuːvəˈluː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Tuvalu?
Tuvalu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VAH). Broken into parts: too · VAH · loo.
Is Tuvalu pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌtuːvəˈluː/ (too-vuh-LOO).