this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2026
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All of the Canadian youtubers that I watch pronounce the letter z as "zi", as is done in the United States. However, I have read online that it is more common for Canadians to pronounce it as "zed", as is done in the United Kingdom. Is this a regional thing? How do you pronounce the letter z?

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[–] JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca 52 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

Like many things, it depends. I'm curious about the context where you're actually hearing YouTubers say the letter.

It's usually "zed" and we're taught it as "zed" in school - at least when i was a kid.

If I'm spelling something it is Zed. I don't think I've ever said Zee in that context.

The alphabet ends with Zee when singing it, due to the rhyme with Vee (and probably Sesame Street).

In my head I will say Nissan Zee for a Z type car. Though if I was to speak the phrase "Nissan Z type" I would say Zed.

When it is used in online slang (GG EZ) it is "Zee" for "easy".

ZZ Top is Zee Zee Top. Zorro draws a Zed. Things are Zed-shaped, not Zee-shaped in general.

[–] phanto@lemmy.ca 16 points 6 days ago (3 children)
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[–] psycotica0@lemmy.ca 12 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Another common one for me that I didn't even notice for a while was Gen-Z, which I will always say "jenzi". Zed sounds unacceptable there, even though I say zed in most other cases besides those you've outlined.

[–] JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca 11 points 5 days ago

Yeah another one I thought of is XYZ

For me it's Zed-axis, but Ecks-Why-Zee coordinates.

[–] Bebopalouie@lemmy.ca 32 points 6 days ago (2 children)

I am Canadian I say Zed. Plus it’s fun to watch americans lose it when I say Zed Zed Top (heehee).

[–] blitzen@lemmy.ca 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Fun fact about ZZ Top. Consists of two guys famously sporting long iconic beards and one who is not. The one who is not, his name is Frank Beard.

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[–] MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net 8 points 6 days ago (4 children)

clears throat

why why zee

leaves promptly

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[–] thenextguy@lemmy.world 38 points 6 days ago (3 children)

We are now, no longer the Canadians who say β€˜zi’.

[–] adespoton@lemmy.ca 12 points 6 days ago

It took me the longest time to figure out whether they wanted strawberries or shrubberies.

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[–] texture@lemmy.world 19 points 5 days ago (2 children)

both, and i never bother to correct myself, or give it any consideration.

[–] betanumerus@lemmy.ca 5 points 5 days ago

This is the best answer.

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[–] vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 days ago

I spell my name with a zed not a zi. From Sask

[–] j0yb0y@lemmy.ca 23 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Zed. Grew up in Ottawa, since lived in Montreal a long time. French also says zed.

[–] swordgeek@lemmy.ca 20 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Zed. Zee is horrible.

Stand proud, Embrace Zed.

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[–] stormio@lemmy.ca 19 points 6 days ago (4 children)

As a mumbling Canadian, I always say Zed to avoid confusion with the letter C.

Regarding your point about Canadian YouTubers, I'm guessing their audience is overwhelmingly American, so they purposely say Z the American way. It also extends to money, temperature and other units. I hear Canadian YouTubers give prices in USD and temperature in F.

[–] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 5 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

This Canadian youtuber doesn't.

I'm Canadian, and I pronounce things the proper Canadian way.

When mentioning measurements or temperature, I use metric, and if I also happen to translate to imperial, I joke that it is a courtesy translation for the 3 countries in the world still stuck in the obsolete units.

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[–] ItsMeSpez@lemmy.world 10 points 5 days ago

I used to not care about this at all, but recently I am adamant about using zed. Similarly, I go out of my way to use the non-American spelling for any words that have it.

[–] Witchfire@lemmy.world 21 points 6 days ago

It's also zed in French, fwiw

[–] garbagebagel@lemmy.world 18 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Zed is the proper Canadian way to say it. Those people just probably watch a lot of American content so it stuck for them.

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[–] BinzyBoi@piefed.ca 19 points 6 days ago (5 children)

I have to catch myself to not say "Dragon Ball Zed".

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[–] isVeryLoud@lemmy.ca 8 points 5 days ago
[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago
[–] slothrop@lemmy.ca 16 points 6 days ago

It'll always be zedzedtop.

[–] Akuchimoya@startrek.website 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Zed, unless its part of a person/product name where its specifically Zee, like Jay-Zee. Otherwise, it's Gen Zed.

"Zed" now and forever.

[–] yannic@lemmy.ca 9 points 5 days ago

Zed ad absurdum.

E-zed sharpener. Eee Zed Money. That sort of thing.

Drives everyone crazy, especially if it's a Canadian or Commonwealth product.

[–] grte@lemmy.ca 8 points 5 days ago
[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 13 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Zed if I refer to the letter itself, but if it's part of a phrase, like "Gen Zee" etc. I will use that.

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[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 7 points 5 days ago
[–] Reannlegge@lemmy.ca 11 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I have this nasty habit of correcting people when they say Zee when it is obviously Zed.

[–] definitemaybe@lemmy.ca 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

As a teacher, I've definitely corrected over a hundred students. I do check if they're American first, though; like, fair enough if they are. But the Canadian pronunciation is zed.

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[–] smuuthbrane@sh.itjust.works 11 points 6 days ago

I say zed. My kids all say zee, to my chagrin. Thanks, US children's entertainment.

[–] Heliumfart@sh.itjust.works 6 points 5 days ago
[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 6 points 5 days ago
[–] iamthetot@piefed.ca 9 points 6 days ago

Born and raised in the USA, only took a few months of living in Canada to switch to zed.

Also, never seen it spelt "zi" ever, lol.

[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

zed of course.

Don't argue with Meredith Rodney McKay.

[–] Karmanopoly@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

It's a Camaro "Zed" 28

But the alphabet it's X, Y, "Zee"

[–] Dalraz@lemmy.ca 5 points 5 days ago (2 children)
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[–] ratildarat@lemmy.ca 2 points 4 days ago

for my family, it’s very much Zed. jay zed, zed zed top,

[–] thenextguy@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago

β€œZee’s dead, baby. Zee’s dead.”

[–] HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works 7 points 6 days ago

Zed.

Dunno who decided zee was a thing, but they were wrong.

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