2 syllables: gyps, ies. Stress on gyps.
JIP-seez
/ˈdʒɪpsiz/
gypsies is pronounced JIP-seez (/ˈdʒɪpsiz/). It has two syllables (gyps-ies), with the stress on "gyps". Gypsies refers to members of traditionally itinerant ethnic groups, notably the Romani people, who have historically lived mobile lifestyles. The term can be sensitive or pejorative in some contexts; many prefer “Romani” or specific subgroup identifiers. In common usage, it denotes a non‑settled, nomadic lifestyle and culture, with a long history across Europe and beyond.
Gypsies refers to members of traditionally itinerant ethnic groups, notably the Romani people, who have historically lived mobile lifestyles. The term can be sensitive or pejorative in some contexts; many prefer “Romani” or specific subgroup identifiers. In common usage, it denotes a non‑settled, nomadic lifestyle and culture, with a long history across Europe and beyond.
- Over-simplifying the vowel quantity in the second syllable: you should maintain a long /iː/; avoid turning it into a short /ɪ/ or a reduced /i/. - Fusing the /p/ with the /s/ into a single consonant cluster; ensure /p/ ends the first syllable and is separated from /siːz/ by a brief hold or clear boundary. - Mispronouncing the second syllable as /zɪz/ or /ziːz/ without the initial /s/ from /siː/. Keep the /s/ before the /iː/. - Running the stress too evenly across syllables; the first syllable must carry primary stress for natural rhythm. - Quick speech without distinguishing the first consonant cluster /dʒ/ as /dʒ/; ensure release of /dʒ/ before /ɪ/.
"The gypsies set up their camp near the river for the summer."
"Some travelers in the region claimed to be gypsies, though their origin remained uncertain."
"Officials invited the gypsies to join a cultural festival to share their music."
US: /ˈdʒɪp.siːz/; UK/AU: /ˈdʒɪp.ziːz/ with a slightly shorter pause between the first and second syllables. The stress is on the first syllable. Start with a dʒ sound as in 'job', followed by ɪ as in 'bit', then p or p with a light 's' before the long iː, finishing with z. Tip: keep the second syllable tense but elongated for natural rhythm.
Common errors include pronouncing the second syllable as /zɪz/ or /zɪzɪz/, misplacing the long iː as short i, and not clearly stating the final z. Correction: ensure the first syllable carries primary stress with /dʒɪp/ and lengthen the second syllable to /siːz/; avoid coalescing /siː/ into /zɪ/. Practice minimal pairs with /iː/ vs /ɪ/ to feel the contrast.
US tends to reduce the second vowel slightly, giving /ˈdʒɪp.siːz/ with a clear /siːz/. UK/AU typically produce /ˈdʒɪp.ziːz/, with the second syllable more compact and a clearer z start after a short i, and a touch of alveolar tap in rapid speech. Rhoticity is not a major factor here, but vowel quality and syllable linking vary with regional fluency.
Key challenge: two consecutive sibilants after the vowel cluster and the transition from /p/ to /siː/ to /z/. You must separate the /p/ in the first syllable from the /siːz/ in the second, avoiding linking that blurs /p/ into /s/. Achieve clear syllable boundaries and maintain correct mouth positions for /dʒ/ and /ɪ/. Practice with slow tempo and then speed up.
No standard pronunciation includes a silent letter in the word. The pronunciation is two syllables: /ˈdʒɪp.siːz/ in US and /ˈdʒɪp.ziːz/ in UK/AU, with all letters contributing to the sound except for potential elision in rapid speech where /iː/ might be slightly shortened, but not silent. Maintain the long /iː/ in the second syllable for natural accuracy.
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- US: emphasize the second syllable’s long vowel clearly; keep rhotic influence minimal here. - UK: slight sharpening of the /ɪ/ to a shorter vowel with a crisp /siː/; maintain two distinct syllables. - AU: similar to UK with slightly flatter intonation; keep /dʒ/ release clean. - In all: practice with IPA references /ˈdʒɪp.siːz/ or /ˈdʒɪp.ziːz/; focus on labiodental alignment and tongue tip release for /dʒ/ and /s/.
The word gypsy derives from the Middle English gypsi, from Old French gypci, from Late Latin aegyptius 'Egyptian', and ultimately from Greek Aigyptios, meaning 'Egyptian'. The assumption in medieval Europe was that Romani people originated in Egypt, a claim unsupported by evidence but influential in naming. The term entered English by the 16th century and carried pejorative connotations as stereotypes about mobility, otherness, and deceit persisted in some contexts. Over time, “gypsy” became part of common vernacular for itinerant groups; however, its acceptability varies widely by region and context. In modern usage, many advocate avoiding “gypsy” as a blanket label due to its historical stigma and lack of precision; “Romani” or a specific subgroup (e.g., Sinti, Kalderash) is preferred. The evolution of the word reflects broader social attitudes toward ethnicity, nomadism, and marginalized communities, with the earliest widely documented references appearing in travel writings and legal ordinances of early modern Europe, often reinforcing negative stereotypes. In post‑war and contemporary contexts, scholarly and advocacy circles emphasize respectful, accurate identifiers and the inclusion of cultural distinction when discussing Romani peoples in culture, music, and history.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gypsies" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "gypsies"
-ies sounds
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