How to pronounce seppuku
Say it like SEP-oo-koo. Seppuku has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEP).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce seppuku. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈsɛpuˌku/SEP-oo-koo
UK British/sɛˈpuːkuː/seh-POO-koo
- SEP
- oo
- koo
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Seppuku pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- kooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of seppuku
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
British respelling: seh-POO-koo.
What does seppuku mean?
noun
- A form of ritual suicide by disembowelment using a blade, practiced by Japanese samurai, especially to rid oneself of shame, as a means of protest, or, formerly, as a method of capital punishment.
Questions about saying seppuku
How do you pronounce seppuku?
Say SEP-oo-koo. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛpuˌku/. In British English it is /sɛˈpuːkuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in seppuku?
Seppuku has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEP). Broken into parts: SEP · oo · koo.
Is seppuku pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /sɛˈpuːkuː/ (seh-POO-koo).