How to pronounce desu
Say it like DES-oo. Desu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce desu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DES
- oo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Desu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of desu
American and British speakers say desu in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛsu/ in the US and /ˈdɛsuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: DES-oo.
What does desu mean?
- Used at the end of a sentence as an assertive particle.“this desu”
Questions about saying desu
How do you pronounce desu?
Say DES-oo. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛsu/. In British English it is /ˈdɛsuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in desu?
Desu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DES). Broken into parts: DES · oo.
Do Americans and Brits say desu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛsu/ and the British form is /ˈdɛsuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.