Spanish · Difficult words
How to pronounce tos in Spanish
tos
Cough
Latin American Spanish · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
tos is pronounced /ˈtos/ in Spanish. In tos: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in tos
The reference transcription for tos is /ˈtos/. 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.A steady /o/ vowel
In tos: 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”.
2.A clear /s/
In tos: 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
La tos no me deja dormir.
The cough won't let me sleep.
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 tos. 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 tos
How do you pronounce tos?
tos is pronounced /ˈtos/ in Spanish. In tos: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In tos: Round the lips and keep the tongue toward the back for a steady /o/. Follow the length indicated in the transcription. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
