2 syllables: Gu, ru. Stress on Gu.
GOO-roo
/ˈɡuˌɹu/
Guru is pronounced GOO-roo (/ˈɡuˌɹu/). It has two syllables (Gu-ru), with the stress on "Gu". Guru is a borrowed term referring to a teacher or expert, especially in spiritual or religious contexts, often elevated in status. In general use, it denotes a trusted guide or mentor whose advice is highly regarded. The word can also imply a sense of charisma or authority within a community or field.
nounGuru is a borrowed term referring to a teacher or expert, especially in spiritual or religious contexts, often elevated in status. In general use, it denotes a trusted guide or mentor whose advice is highly regarded. The word can also imply a sense of charisma or authority within a community or field.
How to Pronounce Guru
"The professor acted as a guru of sustainability, guiding the team with practical wisdom."
"Many people seek a business guru to help scale startups."
"In the meditation circle, she is the guru whose calm voice anchors the practice."
Pronounce as /ˈɡuː.ɹu/ in many English contexts, with primary stress on the first syllable. However, your current IPA shows /ˈɡʊˌru/; modern standard often settles on /ˈɡuː.ɹu/ or /ˈɡɜː.ɹu/ depending on accent. Start with /ˈɡuː/ (rhymes with 'goo') and follow with /ɹu/ as in 'roo.' In American and British practice, the common realization is /ˈɡuː.ɹu/. Audio references include Pronounce and recognized YouTube pronunciation guides to compare variations.
Common errors include: 1) Slurring the two-syllable break, saying /ˈɡuɹu/ with no clear separation; 2) Reducing the first vowel to a short /ʊ/ instead of lengthened /uː/ or /u/; 3) Wrong rhoticity on the second syllable, producing a vowel without the following /ɹ/ or an /ə/ instead of /u/. Correction: keep a clear CV structure: /ˈɡuː/ for the first syllable, then /ɹu/ with a strong postvocalic /ɹ/ and a rounded lip position. Practise with minimal pairs and a slight pause between syllables.
In US English, the first syllable often has a tense /uː/ with a pronounced /ɹ/ onset on the second syllable, leading to /ˈɡuː.ɹu/. UK variants tend to be similar but may show a slightly shorter vowel duration and less rhoticity in rapid speech, e.g., /ˈɡuː.ɹu/ or /ˈɡjuː.ɹu/ in some speakers. Australian English generally mirrors US/UK with a clear /ɡuː/ and /ɹu/ but may present subtle diphthong shifts like /ˈɡuːɹu/ with a rounded lip posture. Reference IPA guides for region-specific nuance.
It challenges your lip rounding and the consonant cluster in /ɡru/: you must keep the back of the tongue high for /ɡ/ and then transition smoothly to /ɹu/. The /ɹ/ is postvocalic and non-syllabic in many accents, which can blur the second syllable. Additionally, vowel length and tension in /uː/ or /u/ can vary by speaker, so you must sustain a clear, tenser first vowel then an audible second vowel with /ɹ/.
No silent letters in Guru. Both syllables carry phonemic content: /ˈɡuː/ in the first, /ɹu/ in the second. The challenge is achieving accurate vowel quality and the /ɹ/ onset after the vowel, not skipping or eliding any part of the word. Practicing with slow, deliberate articulation helps ensure both syllables are clearly produced.
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Guru comes from the Sanskrit guru (गुरु), meaning 'teacher' or 'adult' and one who removes darkness. In ancient Indian religious and philosophical traditions, a guru is a spiritual guide who imparts knowledge and helps disciples overcome ignorance. The term entered English via translations and colonial-era texts, often carrying a strong spiritual or guru-disciple dynamic. In Western usage, guru broadened to refer to any influential expert or leader in a field, sometimes with a spiritual or cult-like connotation. By the 20th century, the word was common in New Age and pop psychology contexts, while remaining central in Indian and South Asian communities as a respectful title for respected teachers. First known use in English citations dates to the 19th century in writings about Indian philosophy and religious practice, and then expanded in the mid-20th century with the global spread of yoga and meditation movements, increasingly used in business and self-help discourse as well.
💡 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 "Guru" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Guru" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Guru"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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