What hello means
A greeting used when meeting someone or starting a conversation.
Home / Pronounce / hello
How to pronounce hello
Learn how to pronounce hello in English with clear US and UK audio, simple phonetic spelling, IPA, syllables, stress, and pronunciation tips.
1. Audio
Tap US Audio or UK Audio to listen first. Use Slow 0.55x for practice.
2. Simple phonetic spelling
huh-LOH
3. IPA transcription
/həˈloʊ/
4. Syllables
hello
5. Stress
huh-LOH
6. Native-language tips
huh-loh
- Stress the second syllable: LOH.
- Start gently with /h/; do not add a hard vowel before it.
How to say hello in American English
Use the simple guide "huh-LOH" and compare it with US IPA /həˈloʊ/.
How to say hello in British English
Compare UK IPA /həˈləʊ/ with the guide "huh-LOH", then confirm it with UK audio.
What makes this word difficult
The first syllable is weak and often uses schwa /ə/. American /oʊ/ and British /əʊ/ both glide at the end. The letters he- do not sound like the word he; the first syllable is reduced.
Mouth and tongue position
Breathe lightly through /h/, relax the first vowel, then round the lips for the final glide.
Common pronunciation mistakes
- Putting equal stress on both syllables.
- Dropping /h/ so hello begins like ello.
Natural example sentences
- Hello, how are you today?
- She said hello before starting the meeting.
Similar and confusing words
Tips for language learners
japanese speakers
- Avoid reading hello as he-ro; keep /l/ clear and do not insert an extra vowel after it.
FAQ
What is the IPA for hello?
A common IPA transcription is /həˈloʊ/. PronounceText can show US and UK variants when they differ.
Where is the stress in hello?
The stress guide is huh-LOH.