How to pronounce qu
Say it like KOO. Qu is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- KOO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Qu 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.
American vs British pronunciation of qu
American and British speakers say qu in essentially the same way: /ku/ in the US and /kuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: KOO.
What does qu mean?
- An administrative subdivision of China roughly equivalent to districts, distinguished from the more rural "counties" (xian).
Words that rhyme with qu
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of qu.
Words that sound like qu
Questions about saying qu
How do you pronounce qu?
Say KOO. The American pronunciation is /ku/. In British English it is /kuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in qu?
Qu is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KOO.
Do Americans and Brits say qu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ku/ and the British form is /kuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as qu?
Qu sounds the same as coo, coup, cou, coups, koo in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.