How to pronounce masu
Say it like MAS-oo. Masu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce masu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAS
- oo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Masu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of masu
American and British speakers say masu in essentially the same way: /ˈmæsu/ in the US and /ˈmæsuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAS-oo.
What does masu mean?
- A plant, Hedysarum alpinum, whose edible root is consumed by the Inuit of Alaska.
- A square wooden box, originally used to measure rice in Japan during the feudal period.
- masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou)
Where does masu come from?
Borrowed from Inupiaq masu.
Questions about saying masu
How do you pronounce masu?
Say MAS-oo. The American pronunciation is /ˈmæsu/. In British English it is /ˈmæsuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in masu?
Masu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAS). Broken into parts: MAS · oo.
Do Americans and Brits say masu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmæsu/ and the British form is /ˈmæsuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.