Co2

[swim4life]

I know that CO2 means carbon dioxide, but how do you native speakers pronounce CO2? Simply "C, O, Two" or the full name of “carbon dioxide?” Thanks.

 

[portoutstarboardhome]

Unless it's written out "carbon dioxide," I pronounce "CO2" as "see oh two."

 

[gasman]

If you actually mean, as you wrote,

how do you native speakers pronounce CO2?

, the answer can only be CO2.

 

[mtmjr]

Generally, if a compound is written as a chemical formula (i.e. with letters and numbers), then we will pronounce it as it is written. This is because most of the public would not know how to pronounce something like NaHCO3 any other way (baking soda).

However, I think some exceptions would be CO2, H2O, and NaCl since the public are most likely familiar with their common names (carbon dioxide, water, and salt respectively). Of course, it still wouldn't be common by any means...

 

[Forero]

"CO2", pronounced "see oh two", is a quick way to say "carbon dioxide" that, besides being quicker, prevents confusion with "carbon monoxide".