How to Pronounce “sensei”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ˈsɛnseɪ/
- British (UK)
- /ˈsɛnseɪ/
What “sensei” means
noun — A martial arts instructor; especially one for a Japanese martial art.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “sensei” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsɛnseɪ/ 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 "sensei" mean?
sensei (noun): A martial arts instructor; especially one for a Japanese martial art.
How do you pronounce "sensei" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "sensei", /ˈsɛnseɪ/, 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 "sensei"?
/ˈsɛnseɪ/ in American English, /ˈsɛnseɪ/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "sensei"?
“sensei” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsɛnseɪ/ 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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