Spanish · Pronunciation Guide

How do you pronounce "algo" in Spanish?

Q: How do you pronounce algo in Spanish?

algo is pronounced with the stress described below. In IPA it is written /ˈal.ɣo/. It means “something.” AHL-goh, two beats with a bright l and a softened g.

AHL-goh, two beats with a bright l and a softened g.

algo /ˈal.ɣo/

Two syllables — AL-go — with the stress on the first, following the default rule for a vowel-final word. It is invariable — no gender, no number — and its opposite "nada" is also two syllables with a front beat, so the pair matches rhythmically. Both take singular verbs regardless of context.

Listen: algo

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Sound it out

al A wide-open "ah" as in "father" and a bright forward l. English darkens an l before a consonant — feel what happens in "alto" or "salt" — and Spanish keeps it light. This is the stressed beat.

go A g softened by the vowel before it: the back of the tongue rises toward the roof of the mouth without quite touching, so the air keeps flowing. Then a pure "oh".

Hear it in a sentence

Necesito algo para el dolor.

I need something for the pain.

Listen: Necesito algo para el dolor.

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"Necesito algo para el dolor" uses "algo" as a direct object with no article, which is normal. "Dolor" ends in r, so the default rule puts the beat on the final syllable: do-LOR. Spanish says "para el dolor" where English says for the pain, keeping the article that English also keeps here.

Where English speakers slip

Darken the l before the g and you get "AHW-go", with the consonant swallowed into the vowel. Keep the tongue tip forward. The g then gets hardened into the plosive of "go", when after a vowel it should be soft and almost breathy. And the opening vowel wants flattening toward the English "al" of "album" — Spanish keeps it wide open.