Forvo

Forvo is a collaborative online pronunciation dictionary that helps language learners discover how words and phrases are pronounced by native speakers. Instead of relying only on automated text-to-speech, Forvo provides real human recordings from speakers around the world.

With millions of pronunciations covering more than 430 languages, it is a useful resource for learning vocabulary, checking unfamiliar words, and comparing regional accents.

Key Features

1. Native Speaker Audio Recordings

Search for words and phrases and listen to authentic pronunciations recorded by native speakers. This helps learners understand how words sound in everyday speech.

2. Extensive Multilingual Coverage

Explore pronunciations across hundreds of languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, and many less commonly studied languages.

3. Regional Accent Comparisons

Listen to different speakers pronouncing the same word to discover regional variations, accents, and pronunciation differences.

4. Community Contributions

Registered users can add words, record pronunciations, vote on audio submissions, and help expand the pronunciation database.

5. Personal Favorites

Save useful pronunciations to personal favorites lists and keep track of words you want to practice.

6. MP3 Downloads

Registered users can download pronunciation recordings for personal, non-commercial use, subject to Forvo's terms and licensing conditions.

How It Works

1. Search for a word or phrase.
2. Select the language you want to hear.
3. Play recordings contributed by native speakers.
4. Compare different speakers and accents.
5. Save useful pronunciations to your favorites.

Pricing

Forvo provides free access to its pronunciation dictionary for personal and non-commercial use. The free service has a daily limit of 500 requests per user. Commercial usage and API access require separate licensing arrangements.

Who Is It For?

• Language learners improving pronunciation and listening skills
• Students studying foreign languages
• Teachers looking for authentic pronunciation examples
• Translators and linguists researching word pronunciation
• Anyone curious about how words sound in different languages