3 syllables: Cau, ca, sian. Stress on ca.
kaw-KAY-zhuhn
/kɔˈkeɪʒən/
Caucasian is pronounced kaw-KAY-zhuhn (/kɔˈkeɪʒən/). It has three syllables (Cau-ca-sian), with the stress on "ca". Caucasian, used as a noun, refers to people of European origin or descent and, in some contexts, to the racial category Caucasoid. It can denote a person belonging to this broad ethnic group or, historically, refer to the Caucasus region itself. In modern usage, tone varies by context and can be sensitive or outdated depending on phrasing.
nounCaucasian, used as a noun, refers to people of European origin or descent and, in some contexts, to the racial category Caucasoid. It can denote a person belonging to this broad ethnic group or, historically, refer to the Caucasus region itself. In modern usage, tone varies by context and can be sensitive or outdated depending on phrasing.
How to Pronounce Caucasian
"The instructor stated that the student was from a diverse Caucasian background."
"Researchers collected data on Caucasian populations to compare genetic markers."
"He identified as Caucasian during the demographic survey."
/kɔːˈkeɪ.ʒən/ (US/UK) with stress on the second syllable: cau-CAI-zian; the first syllable sounds like /kɔː/ as in cot; the middle syllable is /keɪ/ as in day; the final /ʒən/ resembles the “zhun” sound. Slow pronunciation helps: /kɔː/ + /ˈkeɪ/ + /ʒən/.
Two frequent errors: misplacing stress (attempting /ˈkeɪ.kə.ʒən/); pronouncing the middle /keɪ/ too short or off; and mixing /ʒ/ with /ʃ/ or /s/. Correct by keeping the /ˈkeɪ/ strong, and using the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/ as in measure, not /ʃ/. Another pitfall is conflating with similar-looking words; practice as two distinct syllables: /kɔː/ + /ˈkeɪ/ + /ʒən/.
In US English, the first vowel in /kɔː/ is a back open-mid; stress on /ˈkeɪ/ is prominent. UK English may have a slightly shorter /ɔː/ and crisper /ˈkeɪ/. Australian English tends to have a more centralized /ɔː/ and may nudge the /ɪən/ toward /jən/. Across all, the /ʒ/ remains consistent, but voicing and vowels shift subtly with rhoticity and vowel quality differences.
The difficulty centers on the middle /ˈkeɪ/ diphthong and the final /ʒən/ cluster. Some speakers substitute /ʒ/ with /ʃ/ or misplace stress. The velar onset /k/ can blend with /ɔː/ in rapid speech, and the /ˈkeɪ/ chunk carries a secondary emphasis for many. Slow, deliberate articulation helps, with focus on the /k/ followed by the clear /ɔː/ and a precise /ʒ/.
Yes—unlike many adjectives or demonyms, Caucasian is two primary consonants /k/ and /ʒ/ in a three-syllable structure with a vivid diphthong /ɔː/ and a final /ən/ or /ən/ sound. The /ˈkeɪ/ middle syllable can carry the main emphasis, and the /ʒ/ sound is uncommon in many languages, so beginners often substitute /ʃ/ or /z/. Emphasize the middle syllable and practice the rare /ʒ/ position.
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US/UK/AU differences: US typically rhotic, so /r/ not involved here, but the vowel quality changes; /ɔː/ may be more open in US; UK tends to a slightly shorter /ɔː/ and crisper /ˈkeɪ/; AU tends to broader vowel traits and a more relaxed /ɔː/; all retain /ʒ/ in the final syllable. Use IPA and mouth positions to adapt accordingly.
Caucasian originates from Caucasus, a region between Europe and Asia. The term emerged in 18th–19th century European anthropology, rooted in the classification systems of Blumenbach and others who grouped humans by cranial measurements. The root word Caucasus derives from the Latin Caucasus, which itself traces to ancient Greek Καύκασος (Kaukasos). Early usage linked “Caucasian” with the supposed superiority of people from the Caucasus region; over time, the term broadened to designate a broad European-descended phenotype. In contemporary discourse, the word often carries historical baggage and can be seen as outdated or imprecise in describing race or ethnicity, making context and sensitivity critical in usage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Caucasian" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Caucasian"
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