2 syllables: Mos, cow. Stress on Mos.
MAH-skoh
/ˈmɑˌskoʊ/
Moscow is pronounced MAH-skoh (/ˈmɑˌskoʊ/). It has two syllables (Mos-cow), with the stress on "Mos". Moscow is the capital city of Russia, a major political, economic, and cultural hub. In English, the noun refers to the city itself and is widely recognized in geopolitics and travel. The name denotes a large urban center on the Moskva River, known for its historic kremlin and diverse architecture.
nounMoscow is the capital city of Russia, a major political, economic, and cultural hub. In English, the noun refers to the city itself and is widely recognized in geopolitics and travel. The name denotes a large urban center on the Moskva River, known for its historic kremlin and diverse architecture.
"We flew to Moscow to attend the conference."
"The Moscow metro system is famous for its ornate stations."
"She studied Moscow’s cultural scene, from theater to art galleries."
Pronounce MOS-koh with the stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈmɒskoʊ/, UK /ˈmɒskəʊ/, AU /ˈmɒskoʊ/. Start with an open back rounded vowel for /ɒ/, then /s/ + /k/ cluster, and finish with a long /oʊ/ (US) or /əʊ/ (UK). Keep the final vowel distinct and not silent. Tip: avoid veering into /ˈmɒs.kə/ by ensuring the second syllable has a full vowel rather than a schwa clipped too short.
Common errors include reducing the second syllable to a weak vowel like /ə/ without a following long vowel (saying /ˈmɒs.kə/). Another is misplacing stress or shortening the final vowel to a quick schwa; practice holding the final /oʊ/ or /əʊ/. Correction: clearly articulate /koʊ/ or /kəʊ/ with a distinct vowel and maintain the one-syllable bridge /s/ + /k/ without inserting extra sounds.
In US English you’ll hear /ˈmɒskoʊ/ with a rhotic, clear /oʊ/. UK English often renders the second syllable as /-kəʊ/ with a reduced or less rhotic /ə/; some speakers may de-emphasize the final vowel depending on speed. Australian English tends toward /ˈmɒskoʊ/ or /ˈmɒskəʊ/ with a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable and a pronounced final /oʊ/. Across accents, the key is keeping the first syllable stressed and preserving the distinct vowel quality in the second syllable.
The difficulty lies in the subtle vowel in the second syllable and the /sk/ cluster after a stressed syllable. English learners often shorten the final vowel or blend /sko/ into /skə/ too quickly. To master it, ensure you articulate the long /oʊ/ (or /əʊ/) after /sk/, avoid reducing the vowel too early, and keep the syllable boundary clear between /ˈmɒs/ and /koʊ/. IPA guidance: /ˈmɒskoʊ/ (US).
Yes— the strong initial syllable with /mɒ/ and the particular /sko/ onset bridging to a long final vowel. Learners often mispronounce as /ˈmɒs.moʊ/ with a light /koʊ/; instead, avoid splitting the /sko/ sequence and maintain smooth but distinct /sko/ progression into the final vowel. Focus on the /sko/ as a tight cluster before the long /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent.
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- US: emphasize rhotic vowel quality; final /oʊ/ is pure and longer. - UK: favor /skoʊ/ with a lighter second syllable and sometimes a slightly shorter final vowel; keep non-rhotic tendencies in casual contexts. - AU: tends toward a clearer final /oʊ/ with modest vocalic length; avoid overly flat vowels. - IPA references: US /ˈmɒskoʊ/, UK /ˈmɒskəʊ/, AU /ˈmɒskoʊ/. - Vowels: /ɒ/ in first syllable remains constant across accents; second syllable varies: /koʊ/ (US), /kəʊ/ (UK/AU). - Consonants: /s/ + /k/ cluster should be tight; avoid adding /j/ or other sounds. - Rhythm: strong initial beat, quick transition to a longer final vowel. - Lip rounding: gentle rounding for /oʊ/; jaw slightly dropped for /ɒ/.
The name Moscow derives from the Moskva River, which itself likely reflects an ancient Finno-Ugric or Slavic hydronym. The earliest attestations trace to medieval chronicles in church Slavonic and Old East Slavic, in forms such as Moskov, Moskwa, and Moskva. The modern English word Moscow emerged through transliterations from Russian Москва́ (Moskva) as Western scholars and travelers encountered the city in the 17th–18th centuries, influenced by French and German spellings (Moskau, Moscou) before stabilizing as Moscow in English. Over centuries, the city expanded from a medieval fortress and trade hub to the imperial capital, then the Soviet administrative center, and now the seat of the Russian Federation. The name increasingly signified political power and urban grandeur, while the local name Moskva remains the celebrated riverine and cultural identifier. Historically, Moscow has also been referenced in shaping identities within Muscovy (the medieval principality) and in later geopolitical discourse as the capital of the USSR and modern Russia, a reminder of its enduring strategic and symbolic significance.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Moscow" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Moscow" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Moscow"
-me) sounds
--ow sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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