The pronunciation of Chengdu varies depending on whether you are using English or Mandarin Chinese. In English, the city is typically pronounced as CHUNG-DOO, with the first syllable sounding like "chung" (rhyming with "sung") and the second syllable sounding like "doo" (as in "blue"). The emphasis is often placed on the second syllable. In Standard Mandarin, the name is written as Chéngdū; the first syllable "Chéng" is pronounced with a rising tone (like asking a question) and a soft "ch" sound similar to "church," followed by an "uhng" sound. The second syllable "dū" is pronounced with a high, flat tone and a soft "d" that sounds slightly more like a "t," followed by a long "oo" sound. For English speakers, mimicking the "CHUNG-DOO" phonetic structure is generally the most effective way to be understood by locals and fellow travelers.