How to pronounce “usted”
Hear how “usted (you (formal))” sounds in Spanish, then read the breakdown below.
Accent
Breakdown
| Meaning | you (formal) |
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| Syllables | us · ted (2) |
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| Stress | Words ending in a consonant other than n or s stress the last syllable: TED. |
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| IPA | /us.ˈted/ |
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Tips for English speakers
Common mistake: Stress the last syllable and keep the final d very soft: oos-TEHD, not "US-ted".
- A final d is very light, almost like the "th" in "this", and often barely heard.
- Keep every vowel short and pure: a = "ah", e = "eh", i = "ee", o = "oh", u = "oo". No gliding.
Learn more: Stress and accent marks · Spanish vowels
Example sentences
¿Cómo está usted?How are you?
Usted es muy amable.You are very kind.
More words
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