Spanish · Difficult words

How to pronounce búho in Spanish

búho

Owl

BOOOH/ˈbuo/

Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.

búho is pronounced /ˈbuo/ in Spanish. In búho: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

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Find the sounds in búho

The reference transcription for búho is /ˈbuo/. 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.A written h without a separate sound

    In búho: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly.

    Watch out: Do not add an English h breath merely because h appears in the spelling.

  2. 2.A steady /o/ vowel

    In búho: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription.

    Watch out: Avoid automatically turning a single /o/ into the moving vowel of English “go”.

  3. 3.Back rounded vowels

    In búho: 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/.

Hear it in context

Oí un búho en el árbol.

I heard an owl in the tree.

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

This guide uses a Latin American Spanish model for búho. In Spain and other regions, individual consonants may differ. The linked reference records the source transcription; the audio provides one consistent practice model.

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 búho

How do you pronounce búho?

búho is pronounced /ˈbuo/ in Spanish. In búho: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.

What should I listen for first?

In búho: The h in this reference does not add a separate consonant. Connect the sounds shown in the IPA smoothly. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.

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