A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Iguazu
Pronounced ee-gwah-SOO, this is the name of famous waterfalls in South America.
iguazu
ee-gwah-SOO
/ˌi.ɡwaˈsu/ · i · gwa · zu
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Iguazú is most famously the name of the Iguazú Falls, a spectacular waterfall system on the border of Argentina and Brazil. You'll hear it in travel discussions, nature documentaries, and when people plan trips to South America.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Iguazú' comes from the Guarani language, meaning 'big water' (from 'y' meaning water and 'guasu' meaning big).
Common ways people get it wrong
- IG-wah-zoo The stress is on the final syllable, not the first, and the 'u' sound is like 'oo' in 'zoo'.
- ig-uh-SOO The first syllable is a clear 'ee' sound, similar to the 'i' in 'iguana'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Iguazu Falls?
It's pronounced ee-gwah-SOO Falls. The stress is on the last syllable, and the 'u' sounds like 'oo'.
Is Iguazu Spanish or Portuguese?
The name Iguazú comes from the indigenous Guarani language. The falls are located on the border of Argentina (Spanish-speaking) and Brazil (Portuguese-speaking).
What does Iguazu mean?
In the Guarani language, Iguazú means 'big water'. It's a fitting name for the massive waterfall system.
