All words ›Hangzhou
CityHow to pronounce “Hangzhou”
杭州háng zhōu
Literally: the prefecture of Hang.
❌ What English speakers usually say
“hang-ZOO”
✅ What to say instead
hahng-JOH — rising, then flat and high
The shape of the word
Tap any syllable to hear it. The curve above each one is the tone you are aiming for.
Syllable by syllable
| Syllable | Tone | Practise it |
|---|---|---|
| 杭 háng | Second tone — rising | — |
| 州 zhōu | First tone — high and flat | zhou — open drill → |
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce Hangzhou?
Hangzhou is 杭州, háng zhōu — hahng-JOH — rising, then flat and high. Literally it means the prefecture of Hang.
What is the most common mistake with Hangzhou?
“hang-ZOO”
More words people mispronounce
Can you actually say it?
Reading a respelling is not the same as producing the tones. The free 2-minute check listens to you and shows which syllables land wrong.