2 syllables: Gen, us. Stress on Gen.
JEE-nuhs
/ˈdʒinəs/
Genus is pronounced JEE-nuhs (/ˈdʒinəs/). It has two syllables (Gen-us), with the stress on "Gen". Genus is a noun referring to a rank in biological classification above species and below family, grouping species that are structurally similar and capable of interbreeding. It is used in science to name a group of related organisms, and in mathematics or statistics to denote a category or grouping. The term is also used more broadly to describe a class or kind of something.
nounGenus is a noun referring to a rank in biological classification above species and below family, grouping species that are structurally similar and capable of interbreeding. It is used in science to name a group of related organisms, and in mathematics or statistics to denote a category or grouping. The term is also used more broadly to describe a class or kind of something.
How to Pronounce Genus
"The genus Homo includes modern humans and extinct relatives."
"Biologists compare the genuses of different mammals to study evolutionary relationships."
"In taxonomy, a genus may contain several species that share key traits."
Pronounce_GENUS as /ˈdʒiː.nəs/ in US and UK as well. The first syllable is stressed. Start with /dʒ/ (like judge), then /iː/ (long ee), followed by /n/ and a weak /əs/ ending. US/UK/AU all share /ˈdʒiː.nəs/. Tip: keep the vowel long in the first syllable and reduce the second syllable to a schwa. Audio references: consult Pronounce and major dictionaries for native recordings.
Common errors: 1) shortening the first vowel to a lax /ɪ/ or /ɪə/ instead of /iː/. 2) overpronouncing the second syllable as /nɒs/ or /nəs/ with a strong schwa; keep it unstressed and light. 3) misplacing the tongue so /dʒ/ blends with the following /iː/ incorrectly. Correction: start with /dʒ/ as in 'jar', maintain /iː/ for relief, then end with a soft /nəs/ where /ə/ is reduced. Practice with minimal pairs.
In US/UK/AU, the initial /dʒ/ and long /iː/ are consistent. The main variation is vowel quality in /iː/: some British speakers may have a marginally longer or tenser /iː/. The final /nəs/ tends toward a schwa in American and Australian speech, while UK speakers may slightly emphasize the /ə/ or reduce to /ɪ/ in rapid speech. Overall, the rhythm stays strong on the first syllable.
The difficulty lies in maintaining the long /iː/ vowel while keeping the /ə/ (schwa) in the second syllable unstressed. The /dʒ/ onset should be precise and not blend into the /iː/ vowel. Some speakers also tense the jaw or overpronounce the final /əs/. Focus on keeping a clean /iː/ and a quick, relaxed /nəs/ for natural rhythm.
Yes—people often search for how to manage the contrast between a long first vowel and a reduced second syllable. The key is a clear, long /iː/ followed by a light /nəs/ with minimal vowel in the last syllable. You’ll want to avoid pronouncing it as /ˈdʒɛnəs/ or /ˈdʒuːnəs/. IPA guidance and listening practice help align your articulation with native patterns.
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US: rhotic, /ɹ/ influences preceding vowel quality? Not in Genus. UK: slight vowel length differences; AU: tends to be a quicker, more clipped end. Vowel: keep /iː/ long with a rounded mouth shape; /ə/ is reduced. Consonants: /dʒ/ is affricate with a brief explosion; nasal /n/ should be light. IPA: /ˈdʒiː.nəs/.
Genus originates from Latin genus, meaning ‘race, kind, or class; people, nation; family or tribe’ from the Proto-Indo-European root yentes- (to go). In Latin, genus referred to birth, origin, or kind, and also to a class or family in biology and philosophy. The word entered English from Latin usage in scientific taxonomy during the 18th century, influenced by the Linnaean system of classification established by Carl Linnaeus. The term evolved to denote a rank in the hierarchical structure of taxonomy, where a genus comprises one or more species that are closely related and share common characteristics. Over time, its usage broadened metaphorically to describe any category or grouping beyond biology, including mathematics, linguistics, and general discourse. First known English appearance traces to scientific writings in the late 17th to early 18th century, aligning with the period of rapid expansion of biological naming conventions and scholarly interest in classifying living things. In modern usage, genus remains a fundamental taxonomic rank, central to describing relationships among species and conceptual groupings in various disciplines.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Genus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Genus"
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