All words ›Zhao
SurnameHow to pronounce “Zhao”
赵zhào
Literally: an ancient state; a classic surname.
❌ What English speakers usually say
“zay-o” or “chow”
✅ What to say instead
jow — like “chow” but with the voice on and the tongue curled, falling sharply
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 赵 zhào | Fourth tone — sharp fall | zhao — open drill → |
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce Zhao?
Zhao is 赵, zhào — jow — like “chow” but with the voice on and the tongue curled, falling sharply. Literally it means an ancient state; a classic surname.
What is the most common mistake with Zhao?
“zay-o” or “chow”
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.