A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Brno
A Czech city name that sounds like 'burn' followed by 'oh'.
brno
BUR-noh
/ˈbər.noʊ/ · BUR · noh
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's the second-largest city in the Czech Republic and a significant industrial and academic center.
Where the word comes from
The name Brno is believed to derive from the Old Czech word 'brnie', meaning 'muddy' or 'swampy', likely referring to the marshy terrain around the confluence of the Svratka and Svitava rivers.
Common ways people get it wrong
- BRON-oh English speakers sometimes substitute an 'n' sound for the 'r' sound, but the 'r' in Brno is more like the 'r' in 'burn'.
- BRUN-oh The first syllable rhymes with 'burn', not 'brunette'.
Frequently asked
Is Brno in Slovakia or Czech Republic?
Brno is in the Czech Republic. It's the capital city of the South Moravian Region and the country's second-largest city.
What is Brno famous for?
Brno is known for its functionalist architecture, including Villa Tugendhat (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and its vibrant student population and cultural scene.
How do you pronounce the 'o' at the end of Brno?
The final 'o' sounds like the 'o' in 'go' or 'no'. It's a clear 'oh' sound, not a shortened or reduced vowel.
