2 syllables: Fu, ji. Stress on Fu.
FOO-jee
/ˈfudʒi/
Fuji is pronounced FOO-jee (/ˈfudʒi/). It has two syllables (Fu-ji), with the stress on "Fu". Fuji is a proper noun most commonly referring to Mount Fuji, the iconic volcanic mountain in Japan, or to things named after it (e.g., Fuji film). It denotes a specific, well-known locale or brand, and is pronounced with two syllables, typically stressing the first. In common usage, it signals Japanese origin or association and is recognized internationally.
nounFuji is a proper noun most commonly referring to Mount Fuji, the iconic volcanic mountain in Japan, or to things named after it (e.g., Fuji film). It denotes a specific, well-known locale or brand, and is pronounced with two syllables, typically stressing the first. In common usage, it signals Japanese origin or association and is recognized internationally.
- You might lengthen or shorten the first vowel inconsistently, causing a lopsided two-syllable rhythm. Aim for steady /fuː/ across contexts. - Some learners mispronounce the /dʒ/ as /j/ or /ʒ/, making it sound like fu-yi. Ensure a crisp /dʒ/ with a slight alveolar contact followed by a short /i/. - Another error is turning Fuji into a single syllable by rushing the second vowel. Practice pacing to keep two distinct syllables. Correction tips: isolate each syllable, then blend with a light glottal or breath between, monitor voicing on /dʒ/.
"I hiked near Mount Fuji last spring and watched the sunrise."
"We bought a bottle of Fuji apples at the market."
"The new Fuji film lineup is known for its color accuracy."
Pronounce as two syllables: FU-ji. IPA US/UK/AU: US: ˈfuː.dʒi, UK: ˈfjuː.dʒi, AU: ˈfjuː.dʒi. Start with a stressed open front vowel /fuː/ followed by a voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/ and a high front vowel /i/. The first syllable is stressed; keep the /uː/ long and the /dʒ/ crisp. Try saying “food-gee” quickly, but with proper /dʒ/ rather than /ji/.”,
Common mistakes: treating it as two-level French-like syllables (overly clipped first vowel); mispronouncing /fuː/ as /fjuː/ or shortening it to /fu/; softening /dʒ/ to /j/ or /ʒ/. Correction: hold the /uː/ length, transition smoothly into /dʒ/ with a brief /ɪ/ or /i/ glide toward /i/. Practice with minimal pair: fuː.dʒi vs. fyu.dʒi, ensure the /dʒ/ is voiced and not a /t/ or /ʃ/.” ,
US: strong /fuː/ with a clear /ˈ/ before; UK: often /fjuː/ with a slight fronting of the first vowel; AU: similar to US but with a more open vowel quality and less rhoticity in certain speaker groups. The /dʒ/ remains consistent across accents. Overall, maintain two syllables with initial stress; minor vowel quality shifts occur (US flattening, UK/AU fronted /fjuː/). For non-native listeners, listen to brand-name audio in each variant to capture subtle vowel placement.
Because of the mid-front /uː/ leading vowel and the following affricate /dʒ/, which requires precise tongue positioning: back of the tongue for /uː/, then raising to contact the alveolar ridge for /dʒ/. The transition must be smooth, not a hard stop. Additionally, maintaining the stress on the first syllable while keeping a fast, two-syllable cadence can be tricky in quick speech. Listen to native audio and practice the two-syllable rhythm with a clean /dʒ/ release.
No silent letters in Fuji. Each letter contributes to the two-syllable pattern: /f/ as an initial voiceless labiodental fricative, /uː/ as a long back-central vowel, /dʒ/ as an affricate, and /i/ as a high front vowel. The challenge is the /dʒ/ onset after the long /uː/ and keeping the vowel length consistent. The word remains perfectly audible as FU-ji with two distinct syllables.
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- US: keep /fuː/ full and non-rhotic variation minimal; emphasize the /dʒ/ with clear tongue contact, short duration before /i/. - UK: more fronted onset, possibly /fjuː/ with slight initial glide; stress remains on first syllable; keep /juː/ distinct from /uː/. - AU: similar to US but vowel quality can be more centralized; ensure the /dʒ/ is crisp and not reduced in fast speech. Use IPA references /ˈfuː.dʒi/, /ˈfjuː.dʒi/ to compare. Visualize tongue blade approaching alveolar ridge for /dʒ/, lips rounded for /uː/; keep jaw relatively relaxed.
Fuji originates from Japanese, particularly referring to Mount Fuji, whose name is written with kanji meaning wealth, abundance, or origin-related concepts depending on historical interpretation. The mountain has been a central feature of Japanese culture, art, and religion for centuries, appearing in poetry, woodblock prints, and folklore. The root form 富士山 (Fujisan) combines 富 (fu) meaning wealth/abundant, 士 (ji) a phonetic element or part of the mountain’s name, and 山 (san/yama) meaning mountain. The exact origin of the phonetic reading “Fuji” is tied to older Japanese pronunciation and regional dialect influences; over time, the name became standardized in modern Japanese as Fujisan. In Western contexts, “Fuji” is used as a short form for the mountain and for brands or products adopting the association with Japanese precision and heritage. First known uses in English trace to travel literature and photographic discourse in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, when Japan’s geography and culture entered global awareness. In branding, “Fuji” is used to evoke authenticity, quality, and a link to Japan, often dropping the formal “san” or “san/山” suffix in casual usage. Overall, the term carries cultural and geographic weight, with a consistency of two-syllable pronunciation and a strong initial stress across languages adopting it as a proper noun.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Fuji" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Fuji" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Fuji" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Fuji"
-oey sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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