How to pronounce tsetse
Say it like TSEET-see. Tsetse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TSEET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tsetse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TSEET
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tsetse pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TSEETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of tsetse
American and British speakers say tsetse in essentially the same way: /ˈtsitsi/ in the US and /ˈtsɛtsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: TSET-see.
What does tsetse mean?
- Any fly of the genus Glossina, native to Africa, that feeds on human and animal blood; known primarily as a carrier of parasitic trypanosomes.
Where does tsetse come from?
Borrowed from Tswana tsêtsê (“fly”).
Questions about saying tsetse
How do you pronounce tsetse?
Say TSEET-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈtsitsi/. In British English it is /ˈtsɛtsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tsetse?
Tsetse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TSEET). Broken into parts: TSEET · see.
Do Americans and Brits say tsetse the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtsitsi/ and the British form is /ˈtsɛtsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.