How to pronounce couscous
Say it like KOO-skoos. Couscous has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce couscous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOO
- skoos
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Couscous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- skoosKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of couscous
American and British speakers say couscous in essentially the same way: /ˈkuskus/ in the US and /ˈkʊskʊs/ in the UK.
British respelling: KUUS-kuus.
What does couscous mean?
- A pasta of North African origin made of crushed and steamed semolina.
Questions about saying couscous
How do you pronounce couscous?
Say KOO-skoos. The American pronunciation is /ˈkuskus/. In British English it is /ˈkʊskʊs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in couscous?
Couscous has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOO). Broken into parts: KOO · skoos.
Do Americans and Brits say couscous the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkuskus/ and the British form is /ˈkʊskʊs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.