How to Pronounce “hello”

American (US)

/həˈloʊ/

British (UK)

/həˈləʊ/

Australian (AU)

/həˈləʉ/

interjection — A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence.

Example: Hello, everyone.

Where the stress falls. “hello” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /həˈloʊ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /həˈloʊ/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "hello" mean?

hello (interjection): A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence. For example — Hello, everyone.

How do you pronounce "hello" in American vs British English?

American English: /həˈloʊ/. British English: /həˈləʊ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "hello"?

/həˈloʊ/ in American English, /həˈləʊ/ in British English, /həˈləʉ/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "hello"?

“hello” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /həˈloʊ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.