How to pronounce sempai
Say it like SEM-py. Sempai has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sempai. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEM
- py
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sempai pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- pyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of sempai
American and British speakers say sempai in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛmpaɪ/ in the US and /ˈsɛmpaɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEM-py.
What does sempai mean?
- Alternative form of senpai.
Questions about saying sempai
How do you pronounce sempai?
Say SEM-py. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛmpaɪ/. In British English it is /ˈsɛmpaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sempai?
Sempai has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEM). Broken into parts: SEM · py.
Do Americans and Brits say sempai the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛmpaɪ/ and the British form is /ˈsɛmpaɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.