Learn How to Pronounce yakuza
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How to pronounce:
yakuza
Definition:
(nou) a Japanese gangster (nou) organized crime in Japan; an alliance of criminal organizations and illegal enterprises
Examples:
Negishi is a member of the yakuza.
Akiko is the heir to a yakuza clan.
A small boss of the yakuza group Dobunezumi.
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Common mistakes of yakuza pronunciation
- Stress placement: Many people incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "ya-KU-za". The correct stress is on the first syllable: ˈjɑː.kə.zə (UK), ˈjɑː.ku.zə (US). Tip: Emphasize the "ya" sound to pronounce it correctly.
- Vowel pronunciation: Some may pronounce the "a" in "yakuza" as "ay" instead of the correct "uh" sound. The correct pronunciation is with a schwa sound: ˈjɑː.kə.zə (UK), ˈjɑː.ku.zə (US). Tip: Focus on a relaxed "uh" sound for the last syllable.
- Mispronouncing "y": The "y" in "yakuza" is often mispronounced as a hard "y" sound, leading to "YAK-oo-za". The correct pronunciation starts with a softer "y" sound: ˈjɑː.kə.zə (UK), ˈjɑː.ku.zə (US). Tip: Think of the "y" as a light glide into the "a" sound.
- Overemphasizing "z": Some learners stress the "z" too heavily, making it sound like "yaku-ZA". The "z" should be softer and connected to the preceding syllable: ˈjɑː.kə.zə (UK), ˈjɑː.ku.zə (US). Tip: Keep the "z" subtle and blend it smoothly with the preceding vowel.
- Ignoring syllable division: A common mistake is merging syllables, resulting in "yakuza" sounding like "yakuz". The word should be clearly divided into three syllables: ˈjɑː.kə.zə (UK), ˈjɑː.ku.zə (US). Tip: Practice saying each syllable distinctly to improve clarity.