A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Valparaíso
A major Chilean port city, pronounced with a clear 'RY' sound and a soft 'so' ending.
valparaíso
val-puh-RY-soh
/ˌvæl.pəˈɹaɪ.soʊ/ · val · puh · raí · so
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Valparaíso is a prominent city in Chile, often mentioned in news reports about South America or in travel guides. It's also a common subject when discussing Chilean geography or history.
Where the word comes from
The name is believed to come from the phrase 'Valle del Paraíso,' meaning 'Valley of Paradise' in Spanish.
Common ways people get it wrong
- val-PAR-uh-ee-so People sometimes add an extra syllable or misplace the stress, but the stress is on the 'raí' syllable.
- val-puh-RAY-so The 'i' in 'Paraíso' is pronounced like the 'i' in 'ice' or 'my', not like the 'ay' in 'say'.
Frequently asked
Where is Valparaíso located?
Valparaíso is a major city and seaport in central Chile, located on the Pacific coast.
What is Valparaíso known for?
It's famous for its colorful hillside houses, steep funiculars, and vibrant arts scene. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
