Portuguese · Difficult words
How to pronounce zero in Portuguese
zero
Zero
Brazilian Portuguese; reference: Brazil · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
zero is pronounced /ˈzɛ.ɾu/ in Portuguese. In zero: Touch the tongue tip briefly to the ridge behind the upper teeth, then move straight to the next sound. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in zero
Read zero in these IPA segments: ˈzɛ · ɾu. 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.A light tapped r /ɾ/
In zero: 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.
2.Open vowels
In zero: The symbols /ɛ/ and /ɔ/ indicate more open vowel positions than /e/ and /o/. Keep the jaw relaxed and the vowel steady.
Watch out: Do not assume every written e or o has the same vowel quality.
3.The open /ɛ/ vowel
In zero: Keep the vowel open, like the vowel in many pronunciations of English “bed”, without a final glide.
Watch out: Avoid turning this vowel into English “ay”.
Hear it in context
O jogo terminou zero a zero.
The game ended zero to zero.
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 zero. 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 zero
How do you pronounce zero?
zero is pronounced /ˈzɛ.ɾu/ in Portuguese. In zero: Touch the tongue tip briefly to the ridge behind the upper teeth, then move straight to the next sound. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In zero: Touch the tongue tip briefly to the ridge behind the upper teeth, then move straight to the next sound. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
