2 syllables: Chutz, pah. Stress on Chutz.
CHUHT-spah
/ˈtʃʌtˌspɑ/
Chutzpah is pronounced CHUHT-spah (/ˈtʃʌtˌspɑ/). It has two syllables (Chutz-pah), with the stress on "Chutz". Chutzpah is a Hebrew-origin noun meaning audacity or nerve—behavior that combines bold self-confidence with a willingness to take risks. In English usage, it often denotes impressive, shameless gall, sometimes admiring, sometimes complaining about it. The term carries cultural nuance; it’s usually spoken, informal to semi-formal, and used with a hint of humor or reproach depending on tone.
nounChutzpah is a Hebrew-origin noun meaning audacity or nerve—behavior that combines bold self-confidence with a willingness to take risks. In English usage, it often denotes impressive, shameless gall, sometimes admiring, sometimes complaining about it. The term carries cultural nuance; it’s usually spoken, informal to semi-formal, and used with a hint of humor or reproach depending on tone.
How to Pronounce Chutzpah
"Her chutzpah in asking for a promotion surprised everyone, yet she earned it with results."
"The comedian’s chutzpah kept the audience roaring, even when the joke veered risky."
"It’s a lot of chutzpah to travel alone across the world with minimal planning."
Pronounce it as CHUTZ-pə: IPA US/UK: ˈxʊtspə. Start with a voiceless velar/uvular stop followed by a sibilant; the second syllable is a reduced schwa. Stress the first syllable. Audio resources can help with the initial x-like sound which doesn’t occur in standard English; use a light, aspirated release.
Common errors: treating the initial sound as a plain ‘ch’ as in chair (instead of the hard Germanic x). Another is pronouncing the second syllable as full vowel (oo/as in 'zoo') rather than a weak schwa. Correct by practicing the initial x-like fricative with a light inhalation and reducing the second syllable to schwa.
In US/UK/AU, the initial sound is the voiceless uvular fricative [x], which can be realized closer to a velar fricative [x] or even aspirated [χ] by some speakers. Australians may slightly soften the second syllable and reduce vowel height. All share the CHUTZ- first-stressed pattern, with minor vowel quality shifts and rhoticity affecting the final consonant cluster resonance.
It pairs an uncommon initial sound [x], which does not exist in many languages, with a later, reduced schwa that can slip into full vowel pronouncing. The consonant cluster /tsp/ requires precise timing to avoid a run-together sound. Mastery comes from deliberate articulation of /x/ followed by /t/ and a clean /sp/ crest, plus consistent first-syllable stress.
Think of it as CHUTZ-pə with the initial /x/ like a soft gulp of air through the throat. Keep the tongue low and back for /x/, then quickly release into /t/ and /sp/ without adding extra vowels. The key is a crisp first syllable and a relaxed, quick second syllable; practice with slow, then line up with natural speech. IPA: ˈxʊtspə.
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Chutzpah comes from Yiddish חוצפה (khutspe), from Hebrew חֻצְפָּה (chutzpāh), rooted in words connoting insolence or extreme boldness. The term entered American English via Yiddish-speaking communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly among Jewish immigrants. Initially, it carried a blend of admiration and reproach as it described a person with audacity that surpassed ordinary bounds. In English usage, the word has retained its punchy, slightly flamboyant aura; it’s commonly used in colloquial speech, media commentary, and cultural discussions about bold behavior. Over time, chutzpah has become a widely recognized loanword in many varieties of American English, often used both affectionately and critically in contexts of debate, negotiation, and performance. First known printed appearances appear in American journalism and literature in the early 20th century, reflecting its dynamic social meaning tied to fearless, sometimes shameless action.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Chutzpah" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Chutzpah" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Chutzpah"
-pah sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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