How to Pronounce “zen”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ˈzɛn/
- British (UK)
- /ˈzɛn/
What “zen” means
noun — An approach to instruction, understanding, or an activity similarly emphasizing simplicity and intuition rather than conventional thinking or fixation on goals.
Example: the zen of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "zen" mean?
zen (noun): An approach to instruction, understanding, or an activity similarly emphasizing simplicity and intuition rather than conventional thinking or fixation on goals. For example — the zen of cooking.
How do you pronounce "zen" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "zen", /ˈzɛn/, 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 "zen"?
/ˈzɛn/ in American English, /ˈzɛn/ in British English.
Related words to practice
Browse the full word index or use the pronunciation tool.