How to pronounce jujitsu
Say it like joo-JIT-soo. Jujitsu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce jujitsu. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- joo
- JIT
- soo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Jujitsu pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- jooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- JITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- sooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of jujitsu
American and British speakers say jujitsu in essentially the same way: /dʒuˈdʒɪtˌsu/ in the US and /dʒuːˈdʒɪtˌsuː/ in the UK.
British respelling: joo-JIT-soo.
What does jujitsu mean?
- A Japanese martial art and method of self-defense, typically unarmed, emphasizing manipulating an opponent’s force against themselves rather than directly opposing it with force, and using a wide variety of holds, throws, and defensive techniques.
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a related art, derived from judo.
- Strategic maneuvering, especially with the aim of using the strength of one's opponent against them in an unexpected or counterintuitive way.
- To attack (someone) or overcome (a challenge) with strategic maneuvering.
Questions about saying jujitsu
How do you pronounce jujitsu?
Say joo-JIT-soo. The American pronunciation is /dʒuˈdʒɪtˌsu/. In British English it is /dʒuːˈdʒɪtˌsuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in jujitsu?
Jujitsu has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JIT). Broken into parts: joo · JIT · soo.
Do Americans and Brits say jujitsu the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dʒuˈdʒɪtˌsu/ and the British form is /dʒuːˈdʒɪtˌsuː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.