How to Pronounce António Guterres

Meaning and Context

António Guterres, a seasoned Portuguese diplomat and politician, was elected as the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2016, beginning his first term on January 1, 2017. He was re-elected for a second term in 2021, underscoring his role as a pivotal global leader during an era of complex crises. His tenure has been defined by urgent advocacy for climate action, diplomatic efforts in conflict resolution, and managing international relations amid rising geopolitical tensions. Prior to his UN leadership, Guterres served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015 and as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, bringing decades of diplomatic experience to the world's foremost international organization. His leadership consistently emphasizes multilateralism, sustainable development goals, and global cooperation as essential pillars for addressing pandemics, inequality, and humanitarian emergencies.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "António Guterres" follows Portuguese orthography, which can lead to frequent misspellings in English-language contexts. The most common error is omitting the acute accent on the first 'o' (Antonio), which changes the pronunciation. The surname is also often misspelled as "Guterres" (adding an extra 'e') or "Gutteres" (substituting the first 'e' with an 'a'). Another typical mistake is using the Spanish "Antonio" with the tilde "Gutiérrez," which is a completely different surname. When writing, it is important to respect the correct diacritical marks for accuracy, though in highly informal or international contexts, the unaccented "Antonio Guterres" is widely recognized as referring to the same individual.

Example Sentences

In a powerful address to the General Assembly, António Guterres warned that the world is "on the brink of a climate catastrophe" and called for immediate, transformative action from all member states.

Diplomats closely watched as Secretary-General António Guterres engaged in shuttle diplomacy, attempting to broker a humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict zone.

Before assuming his role at the United Nations, António Guterres gained extensive experience managing large-scale operations as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Critics and supporters alike acknowledge that António Guterres faces an unprecedented set of global challenges, from pandemics to proliferating conflicts.

His biography often highlights how António Guterres's background as a former prime minister and refugee chief shaped his pragmatic yet principled approach to international leadership.

Related Pronunciations

• How to pronounce Pierre Poilievre
• How to pronounce Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
• How to pronounce Julia Gillard
• How to pronounce José Ramos Horta
• How to pronounce Volodymyr Zelenskyy (in Ukrainian & Russian)