How to pronounce wakizashi
Say it like wah-kih-ZAH-shee. Wakizashi has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZAH).
- wah
- kih
- ZAH
- shee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wakizashi pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- wahKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sheeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of wakizashi
American and British speakers say wakizashi in essentially the same way: /wɑkɪˈzɑʃi/ in the US and /wækɪˈzæʃi/ in the UK.
British respelling: wak-ih-ZASH-ee.
What does wakizashi mean?
- A traditional Japanese shortsword, typically 30cm to 60cm (or nearly 12 inches to approx. 23.6 inches) in length, often used as a secondary weapon to a katana.
Words that rhyme with wakizashi
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of wakizashi.
Questions about saying wakizashi
How do you pronounce wakizashi?
Say wah-kih-ZAH-shee. The American pronunciation is /wɑkɪˈzɑʃi/. In British English it is /wækɪˈzæʃi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wakizashi?
Wakizashi has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZAH). Broken into parts: wah · kih · ZAH · shee.
Do Americans and Brits say wakizashi the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /wɑkɪˈzɑʃi/ and the British form is /wækɪˈzæʃi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.