3 syllables: la, ti, no. Stress on ti.
lah-TEE-noh
/lɑˈtinoʊ/
latino is pronounced lah-TEE-noh (/lɑˈtinoʊ/). It has three syllables (la-ti-no), with the stress on "ti". Latino is a noun or adjective referring to people of Latin American origin or culture; in English usage it often denotes someone from Latin America or someone of Latin heritage. The term spans linguistic and cultural identities and is commonly paired with descriptors like “Latino/a” or “Latinx” to acknowledge gender or inclusivity. Pronunciation emphasizes two clear syllables with stress on the first: LA-tee-no, blending vowels in a smooth, non-tensed sequence.
Latino is a noun or adjective referring to people of Latin American origin or culture; in English usage it often denotes someone from Latin America or someone of Latin heritage. The term spans linguistic and cultural identities and is commonly paired with descriptors like “Latino/a” or “Latinx” to acknowledge gender or inclusivity. Pronunciation emphasizes two clear syllables with stress on the first: LA-tee-no, blending vowels in a smooth, non-tensed sequence.
"The Latino community has a rich tapestry of languages and traditions."
"She identifies as a Latino writer, contributing stories in both Spanish and English."
"The conference welcomed Latino scholars from several universities."
Latino is pronounced la-TI-no in most English contexts, with the main stress on the second syllable. IPA US: ləˈtiːnoʊ, UK: ləˈtiːnəʊ, AU: ləˈtiːnəʊ. Begin with a schwa followed by a clear 'ti' as in 'tea', then a crisp final 'no'.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (LA-ti-no) rather than the second, reducing the middle vowel to a weak schwa without a clear 'ti' sound, and mispronouncing the final 'o' as /ɑ/ instead of a more closed /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. To correct: emphasize the second syllable, keep TI as a voiced stop with a short i vowel, and finish with a clean, rounded 'o' sound.
In US English you’ll hear ləˈtiːnoʊ with a clear /iː/ and final /oʊ/. UK tends to a slightly shorter diphthong in the final vowel, ləˈtiːnəʊ, with less rhotic influence. Australian often mirrors US rhoticity but with a more centralized first vowel and a rounded final /əʊ/. The key is the second syllable emphasis and the long E quality in TI, followed by a rounded, closed final vowel.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable structure with a stressed second syllable and a final vowel that often reduces or shifts in casual speech. English speakers may misplace the stress or flatten the final vowel, and non-native speakers can mispronounce the 'ti' as 'di' or blend the syllables. Focusing on a clear TI sound and a clean, rounded final vowel helps achieve natural rhythm.
The word has a phonotactic balance: a soft initial schwa, a crisp 'ti' consonant, and a pure final vowel. A unique aspect is maintaining a distinct 'ti' without assimilating to a preceding schwa too heavily, ensuring the middle consonant stays voiceless and not morphed into an 's' or 'z' sound in rapid speech.
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Latino derives from the Spanish and Portuguese term latino, ultimately rooted in Latin. In Latin, 'Latinus' referred to people of Latium, the region around Rome. The modern English loanword emerged in the 20th century as discussions of ethnicity and nationality expanded beyond simplistic descriptors. Initially used primarily within Hispanic communities to denote people from Latin America, the term broadened in media and academia to identify a panethnic group connected by Latin American heritage rather than a single country. Over time, usage has fluctuated with social movements: some prefer Latino as a gender-inclusive umbrella term for men and mixed genders, while others advocate Latina for women or Latinx as a gender-neutral alternative. The word's meaning has both cultural and sociopolitical dimensions, reflecting evolving discussions of identity, language, and belonging across the Americas.
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Words that rhyme with "latino"
-nto sounds
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