A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Cusco
Learn the standard American English pronunciation of the historic Peruvian city, Cusco.
cusco
KOO-skoh
/ˈkuːskoʊ/ · cus · co
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It is frequently used in travel guides and documentaries about the Andes region.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from the Quechua word Qusqu, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. It was later Hispanicized into the spelling Cusco.
Common ways people get it wrong
- KUS-koh Avoid the short 'u' sound like in 'bus'; use a long 'oo' sound as in 'cool' to match the original Quechua phonetics.
Frequently asked
Is it pronounced Cusco or Cuzco?
Both spellings are used, but the pronunciation remains the same. Cusco is the official spelling in Peru, while Cuzco is a common variant in other Spanish-speaking regions.
Do locals pronounce it differently?
In the local Quechua language, the 's' sound is often more emphatic or slightly retroflex. For English speakers, the standard 'koo-skoh' is perfectly acceptable.
Should I emphasize the second syllable?
No, the stress falls on the first syllable. Keep the second syllable light and quick.
