Portuguese (Portugal) · Pronunciation Guide

How do you pronounce "novo" in Portuguese (Portugal)?

Say "NOH-voo" — a clear stressed "no" followed by a short, tight "voo".

novo ˈno.vu

Stress is on the first syllable "no"; the final "o" reduces to a short "oo", never a full "oh".

Listen: novo

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Sound it out

no Stressed and clear, like English "no" but shorter and crisper.

vo The v is a true English-style "v" (not a "b" sound as in Spanish), and the final o tightens to "oo".

Hear it in a sentence

Comprei um telemóvel novo.

I bought a new phone.

Listen: Comprei um telemóvel novo.

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"Comprei um telemóvel novo" places the adjective after the noun, as is typical for descriptive adjectives. "Comprei" is the first-person singular preterite of "comprar" (to buy), for a completed past action. "Telemóvel" is the standard European Portuguese word for "mobile phone" — Brazilian Portuguese uses "celular" instead.

Where English speakers slip

Learners often pronounce the final "o" as a full, open "oh" sound as in English "go", but European Portuguese clips it to a short, almost swallowed "oo". This contrasts with some Brazilian accents that hold the final o more openly and clearly.