How to pronounce bhikkhu
Say it like BIK-oo. Bhikkhu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bhikkhu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BIK
- oo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bhikkhu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of bhikkhu
American and British speakers say bhikkhu in essentially the same way: /ˈbɪku/ in the US and /ˈbɪkuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: BIK-oo.
What does bhikkhu mean?
- A male Buddhist monk or priest; one who follows all Buddhist precepts as a full member of the sangha.
Questions about saying bhikkhu
How do you pronounce bhikkhu?
Say BIK-oo. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɪku/. In British English it is /ˈbɪkuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bhikkhu?
Bhikkhu has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIK). Broken into parts: BIK · oo.
Do Americans and Brits say bhikkhu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɪku/ and the British form is /ˈbɪkuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.