How to pronounce xiao
Say it like ZHOW. Xiao is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce xiao. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ZHOW
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Xiao pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ZHOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of xiao
American and British speakers say xiao in essentially the same way: /ʒaʊ/ in the US and /ʒaʊ/ in the UK.
British respelling: ZHOW.
What does xiao mean?
- A type of Chinese flute.
Words that rhyme with xiao
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of xiao.
Questions about saying xiao
How do you pronounce xiao?
Say ZHOW. The American pronunciation is /ʒaʊ/. In British English it is /ʒaʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in xiao?
Xiao is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: ZHOW.
Do Americans and Brits say xiao the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ʒaʊ/ and the British form is /ʒaʊ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.