Tho is a short spelling of though, meaning however or but. It usually comes at the end of a sentence and adds a reservation to what has just been said: you praise a hotel, then mention a downside. People write it in chats and comments, and it's pronounced just like though.
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statement + tho (= though, however); tho + clause, + main clause (no but)
- The hotel was lovely, a bit far from the beach tho.
- I don't love my new job, the team is really nice tho.
- tho it rained all day, we still had a great time at the market.
What changed
First versiontho the film was really long, but I enjoyed every minute.
Revisiontho the film was really long, I enjoyed every minute.
Tho, though and although already express the contrast, so English doesn't add but to the other half of the sentence. Using both is a mistake, so but has been removed.
At the end of a sentence, tho is softer than but at the start: it's an afterthought. Pricey place. Worth it tho. In an email, write the full though, and in an IELTS essay, introduce a reservation with although or however, because though at the end of a sentence sounds conversational: Although the course was hard, I enjoyed it. In Speaking, though at the end sounds perfectly natural.
Your turn
My new phone has an amazing camera. The battery is terrible ___.
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tho — First the camera gets praise, then a downside is named, and tho expresses that contrast: the battery is terrible, though. Too means also and would only fit if something bad had been mentioned before.
Write a friend a short review of a café, hotel or trip: first name a plus, then a minus with tho at the end of the sentence.
The café near my office has amazing cakes. The coffee is too bitter tho.
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