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debut

How to Pronounce "debut"

The correct pronunciation of "debut" is DAY-byoo /ˈdeɪbjuː/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "DEB-ut" habit for good.

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debut

/ˈdeɪbjuː/
noun

A person's first public appearance or performance.

DAY
byoo
Stress: First syllable (DAY) in British English.

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The Indian-English Mistake: "DEB-ut" — and the Fix

AspectCommon in India (incorrect)Correct
Sounds likeSaying "DEB-ut" or "day-BUTT" with a hard final 't'.DAY-byoo /ˈdeɪbjuː/
StressOften on the wrong syllableFirst syllable (DAY) in British English.

How Do You Pronounce "debut"?

"debut" is pronounced DAY-byoo /ˈdeɪbjuː/. The stress is on the first syllable (DAY) in British English. As a noun, it means a person's first public appearance or performance.

The final 't' is silent and 'de' is 'day': DAY-byoo, not 'deb-ut'.

Note: US /deɪˈbjuː/ ("day-BYOO") stresses the last syllable; both have a silent 't' and 'day' start.

Say "debut" Step by Step

Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.

1

Break it into syllables

DAY-byoo — say each part slowly and separately first.

2

Stress the right part

First syllable (DAY) in British English. Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.

3

Nail the key sound

The final 't' is silent and 'de' is 'day': DAY-byoo, not 'deb-ut'.

4

Blend and repeat

Now say "debut" at normal speed: DAY-byoo. Record yourself and compare.

Minimal-Pair Drills for "debut" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)

Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.

1

day → DAY-byoo

Starts 'day'; final t is silent.

2

NOT DEB-ut — DAY-byoo

No hard t at the end.

3

Say at speed: "She made her debut on stage."

Keep the t silent.

Why "debut" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It

Why this happens

Indian speakers read the 't' as written, but this French loanword ends in a silent-t 'byoo'.

Tip: Say 'DAY' then 'byoo', with no t: DAY-byoo.

Hear “debut” in a Sentence

Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.

She made her debut on stage.

His debut album sold well.

The team's debut was a success.

Now say it inside a sentence

Getting "debut" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce "debut" in Indian English?

"debut" is pronounced DAY-byoo /ˈdeɪbjuː/. The stress is on the first syllable (DAY) in British English. The common Indian rendering "DEB-ut" is incorrect.

What is the most common mistake when saying "debut"?

Saying "DEB-ut" or "day-BUTT" with a hard final 't'. Say 'DAY' then 'byoo', with no t: DAY-byoo.

Why do Indian English speakers find "debut" hard to pronounce?

Indian speakers read the 't' as written, but this French loanword ends in a silent-t 'byoo'. Say 'DAY' then 'byoo', with no t: DAY-byoo.

Is there a US and UK difference in pronouncing "debut"?

US /deɪˈbjuː/ ("day-BYOO") stresses the last syllable; both have a silent 't' and 'day' start.

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