How to pronounce Zulu
Say it like ZOO-loo. Zulu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ZOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Zulu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ZOO
- loo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Zulu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ZOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- looGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of Zulu
American and British speakers say Zulu in essentially the same way: /ˈzuˌlu/ in the US and /ˈzuːˌluː/ in the UK.
British respelling: ZOO-loo.
What does Zulu mean?
- A member of an African ethnic group living mainly in the KwaZulu-Natal Province in eastern South Africa.
- Time along the prime meridian; UTC; Zulu time.
- Pertaining to the Zulu people, culture, or language.
Words that rhyme with Zulu
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Zulu.
Questions about saying Zulu
How do you pronounce Zulu?
Say ZOO-loo. The American pronunciation is /ˈzuˌlu/. In British English it is /ˈzuːˌluː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Zulu?
Zulu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ZOO). Broken into parts: ZOO · loo.
Do Americans and Brits say Zulu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈzuˌlu/ and the British form is /ˈzuːˌluː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.