Portuguese · Difficult words

How to pronounce senhora in Portuguese

senhora

Mrs.

seh-NYAW-ruh/sẽˈɲɔ.ɾɐ/

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

senhora is pronounced /sẽˈɲɔ.ɾɐ/ in Portuguese. In senhora: 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 senhora

Read senhora in these IPA segments: sẽ · ˈɲɔ · ɾɐ. 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 senhora: 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.The nh sound /ɲ/

    In senhora: Make a single palatal consonant, with the middle of the tongue raised. It resembles the linked “ny” in “canyon”.

    Watch out: Do not pronounce n and h as two separate consonants.

  3. 3.A light tapped r /ɾ/

    In senhora: Touch the tongue tip briefly to the ridge behind the upper teeth, then move straight to the next sound.

    Watch out: Do not hold a strong English r in this position.

Hear it in context

A senhora Silva pediu late check-out.

Mrs. Silva asked for late check-out.

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 senhora. 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 senhora

How do you pronounce senhora?

senhora is pronounced /sẽˈɲɔ.ɾɐ/ in Portuguese. In senhora: 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 senhora: 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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