Short pronunciation question from a foreigner

[encomiast]

There's something I've wondered about for quite some time now, so I figured I'd just ask the native speakers on here....
In school I learned that in English the letter "Z" when standing alone is pronounced "zed". However, I've often heard it being pronounced "zee" (mostly by Americans IIRC) but couldn't find out which pronunciation applies when.

Is that some British / American English thing or does it depend on the context or is "zee" maybe just more kewl/l33t ?
It'd be great if someone could shed some light on this

 

[Big Wang Bandit]

I normaly find the brits using Zed. Like on top gear for instance The new Nissan 350-zed. Makes me lol most of the time.

In America its Zee. Basically... Thats it.

 

[Troyota]

Yeah...in America, we are taught "Zee" in school even.

 

[Tanya]

I've never heard it pronounced "zed" ever

 

[encomiast]

Cool, thanks for the quick answers. You learn something new everday...
It's probably the same as with the word "bonnet"? "Hood" / "zee" in North America, "bonnet" / "zed" in the rest of the english-speaking world?

How about the Canadians, I've seen some of them use British spelling (like "colour"), do they say "zee" too?

edit:
speaking of Z cars, is a 300ZX in the US a 300-zee-ex? Not 300-zed-ex? I'll have to get used to that one...

 

[Tanya]

haha yeah we call them ZEE cars, ZEE EX.

I couldn't imagine calling it a ZED EX, reminds me of the shipping company FED EX, lol

 

[oneandgone]

I've never heard it pronounced "zed" ever

Me either! (e-ther not i-ther)lol!

zee-ex here

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

ive heard zed and zee. I use zee. Sounds smooth like yours truly >_>

 

[DreamerTheresa]

It's pronounced "zed" In Kanadia as far as I understand, too.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

It's pronounced "zed" In Kanadia as far as I understand, too.

as google would say, Did you mean Canada?

 

[Loki]

I say zed.

 

[DreamerTheresa]

as google would say, Did you mean Canada?

Same thing.

 

[Troyota]

It is and has always been "Three Hundred Zee Ex" in my book.

 

[LuvMySilverSupra]

let's all hop in the lorry and pop to the pub for a pint!!

 

[CFSapper]

honsly i think 300 zed -ex sounds cooler.
who says 300 zee-ex:aigo:

but yah zed was taught in canadian schools as far as I know
I think the only reson the amaricans say zee is so that it rhyms with the ABC song just so they can learn it easier:naughty: :biglaugh:

















lol j/k about the learning easier part anyway

 

[Stretch]

first time i ever heard you yanks say you called it zee-ex. Man that sounds wierd! Yeah and silent_sniper is right I think they say zee because it rhymes with (c) so learning the alphabet is easier for the southern half of north america. Us canadians can handle the Zed :biglaugh:
eric

 

[Allan_MA70]

Pffft Americans... went to war to get rid of the English and then keep the imperial system

Well i guess nothing changes... went to war with Iraq to take there oil but left the crazy Muslims in charge

 

[Stanzaspeed]

give em a break they aint all that bright...

 

[IJ.]

Zed here

 

[Tanya]

give em a break they aint all that bright...

heyyy, what's all that ABOOT? :icon_razz