Portuguese · Difficult words

How to pronounce luz in Portuguese

luz

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LOO(Y)S/ˈlu(j)s/

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

luz is pronounced /ˈlu(j)s/ in Portuguese. In luz: Round your lips and keep the tongue toward the back. Follow the closer /u/ or more relaxed /ʊ/ quality written in the IPA. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

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Find the sounds in luz

The reference transcription for luz is /ˈlu(j)s/. Read adjacent consonants together without inserting extra vowels. The mark /ˈ/ comes immediately before the main stressed syllable. Give that syllable a little more prominence without swallowing the others.

  1. 1.Back rounded vowels

    In luz: Round your lips and keep the tongue toward the back. Follow the closer /u/ or more relaxed /ʊ/ quality written in the IPA.

    Watch out: Avoid inserting a y sound before the vowel unless the IPA includes /j/.

  2. 2.A clear /s/

    In luz: Let air pass through a narrow groove near the front of the mouth. Keep the sound unvoiced.

    Watch out: Do not add voicing and turn /s/ into /z/.

Hear it in context

Pode acender a luz do corredor, por favor?

Can you turn on the hallway light, please?

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 luz. 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 luz

How do you pronounce luz?

luz is pronounced /ˈlu(j)s/ in Portuguese. In luz: Round your lips and keep the tongue toward the back. Follow the closer /u/ or more relaxed /ʊ/ quality written in the IPA. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

What should I listen for first?

In luz: Round your lips and keep the tongue toward the back. Follow the closer /u/ or more relaxed /ʊ/ quality written in the IPA. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.

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