Portuguese · Difficult words

How to pronounce avião in Portuguese

avião

Airplane

ah-vee-UHW/a.viˈɐ̃w̃/

Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.

avião is pronounced /a.viˈɐ̃w̃/ in Portuguese. In avião: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

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Find the sounds in avião

Read avião in these IPA segments: a · vi · ˈɐ̃w̃. Dots and stress marks identify the boundaries shown in the reference; these symbols are not English spelling. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.

  1. 1.Nasal resonance

    In avião: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape.

    Watch out: Do not add a strong n or m just because an English respelling uses one to suggest nasality.

  2. 2.Front-vowel position

    In avião: Listen for the distinction between the closer /i/ and the more relaxed /ɪ/ when shown. Keep your tongue toward the front.

    Watch out: Do not decide vowel quality from English spelling alone.

  3. 3.An open vowel

    In avião: Open the jaw for the a-like vowel shown in the IPA. Keep it continuous and follow the recording’s tongue position.

    Watch out: Do not substitute the English diphthong in “day”.

Hear it in context

Vou de avião para Salvador na sexta.

I'm going by plane to Salvador on Friday.

Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.

Pronunciation and variety

The recording uses a Brazilian Portuguese voice for avião. Portuguese in Portugal and other regions can differ in vowel reduction and consonants. The reference may list several realizations; the transcription here is selected for a Brazilian or unmarked pronunciation.

The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.

Meaning and everyday use

Questions about avião

How do you pronounce avião?

avião is pronounced /a.viˈɐ̃w̃/ in Portuguese. In avião: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

What should I listen for first?

In avião: For vowels marked with a tilde, let air resonate through the nose while the mouth keeps its vowel shape. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.

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