How to Pronounce “senpai”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ˈsenpaɪ/
- British (UK)
- /ˈsenpaɪ/
What “senpai” means
noun — The senior member of a group in Japanese arts; a mentor.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “senpai” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsenpaɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "senpai" mean?
senpai (noun): The senior member of a group in Japanese arts; a mentor.
How do you pronounce "senpai" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "senpai", /ˈsenpaɪ/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "senpai"?
/ˈsenpaɪ/ in American English, /ˈsenpaɪ/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "senpai"?
“senpai” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsenpaɪ/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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