Different pronunciation of the word video in Spain and Latin america

Question

I have noticed that the word “video” is pronounced differently in Spain and Latin America.  In Latin America, the word is pronounced as 3 syllables and the accent is on the “e” (2nd or middle syllable).  In contrast, in Spain the word seems to be pronounced with the accent on the “i” (1st syllable) and it seems like the word may only have 2 syllables in the peninsular pronunciation (with the “eo” pronounced as a one syllable diphthong).  Is this correct, and if not, what is going on here?

Silvia Piriz · Accepted Answer

Hola Steven S.
Great observation! You are correct—there is indeed a difference in how the word "video" is pronounced in Spain and Latin America.
In Latin America, the standard pronunciation is vi-DE-o, with the emphasis on the middle syllable "de", dividing the word into three syllables (vi-de-o). This follows the typical accentuation rules for Spanish, where most words ending in a vowel are stressed on the penultimate syllable.
In Spain, however, it is common to hear the pronunciation VI-deo, with the stress on the first syllable "vi". While the word is still technically considered to have three syllables (vi-de-o), in some regions, especially in casual or fast speech, the "eo" combination can sound more blended, giving the impression of a two-syllable pronunciation.
This is not considered a formal phonetic change but rather a variation in articulation. It's not truly a diphthong (since "e" and "o" are both open vowels and do not usually form diphthongs in Spanish), but the connection between the vowels can sound more fluid in certain Spanish accents, particularly in informal contexts.
I hope this clarifies your question. If you need more details on pronunciation differences in other words, just let me know—I’ll be happy to help!
Have a great weekend!
Silvia