A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Querétaro
Pronounce this Mexican city's name: 'keh-REH-tah-roh', with stress on the second syllable.
querétaro
keh-REH-tah-roh
/keˈɾe.ta.ɾo/ · ke · re · ta · ro
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's a major city and state in central Mexico, often mentioned in news reports or travel guides.
Where the word comes from
The name 'Querétaro' likely comes from the Purépecha language, possibly meaning 'place of the great rock' or 'place of the rock mountain'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- kwer-EH-tah-roh English speakers might see the 'qu' and think of 'queen', but in Spanish, 'qu' before 'e' or 'i' is pronounced like a hard 'k'.
- kwer-EH-tar-oh The final 'o' in Spanish is typically a clear 'oh' sound, not an 'ow' sound like in 'car'.
Frequently asked
How do you say Querétaro in Spanish?
In Spanish, it's pronounced roughly 'keh-REH-tah-roh'. The 'qu' is a 'k' sound, and the 'r's are often lightly rolled or flapped.
Is Querétaro a city or a state?
Querétaro is both a city and one of the 32 federal entities (states) of Mexico. The city is the capital of the state.
What does the name Querétaro mean?
The name is believed to have indigenous origins, possibly from the Purépecha language, and may mean 'place of the great rock' or 'place of the rock mountain'.
