How to pronounce respects
Say it like rih-SPEKTS. Respects has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEKTS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce respects. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- SPEKTS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Respects pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SPEKTSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of respects
American and British speakers say respects in essentially the same way: /rɪˈspɛkts/ in the US and /rɪˈspɛkts/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-SPEKTS.
What does respects mean?
- (often used with pay) a formal expression of esteem“he paid his respects to the mayor”
Questions about saying respects
How do you pronounce respects?
Say rih-SPEKTS. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈspɛkts/. In British English it is /rɪˈspɛkts/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in respects?
Respects has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEKTS). Broken into parts: rih · SPEKTS.
Do Americans and Brits say respects the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈspɛkts/ and the British form is /rɪˈspɛkts/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.