How to Pronounce So

To pronounce "so", say SO — one syllable, IPA /səʊ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying so, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

Syllable

Letters

/səʊ/

IPA

"so" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with apropos and show, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: sew — easy to mix up when writing.

adjective

True, accurate.
“That is so. You are responsible for this, is that not so?”
In that state or manner; with that attribute. A proadjective that replaces the aforementioned adjective phrase.

adverb

To the (explicitly stated) extent that.
“It was so hot outside that all the plants died. He was so good, they hired him on the spot.”
To the (implied) extent.
“I need a piece of cloth so long. [= this long]”

conjunction

In order that.
“Eat your broccoli so you can have dessert.”
With the result that; for that reason; therefore.
“He ate too much cake, so he fell ill.”

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

How many syllables are in "so"?▾

"So" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "so"?▾

The IPA transcription of "so" is /səʊ/.

What does "so" mean?▾

So: True, accurate.

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