One syllable: Kim Jong Un.
KIM JONG OON
/ˈkɪm ˈdʒɒŋ ˈuːn/
Kim Jong Un is pronounced KIM JONG OON (/ˈkɪm ˈdʒɒŋ ˈuːn/). It has one syllable (Kim Jong Un), with the stress on "Kim Jong Un". As a proper noun, a proper noun referring to the North Korean political leader Kim Jong Un. The name is a two-part Korean honorific and family name, commonly pronounced with careful attention to Korean phonology rather than English phonetics, producing distinct syllables and a mid-to-high Central/Mid vowel quality. In context, it denotes a specific individual and is typically treated with formal or media-focused registers.
proper nounA proper noun referring to the North Korean political leader Kim Jong Un. The name is a two-part Korean honorific and family name, commonly pronounced with careful attention to Korean phonology rather than English phonetics, producing distinct syllables and a mid-to-high Central/Mid vowel quality. In context, it denotes a specific individual and is typically treated with formal or media-focused registers.
How to Pronounce Kim Jong Un
"You may hear analysts discuss Kim Jong Un's policy decisions."
"The press often emphasizes Kim Jong Un's diplomatic engagements."
"Researchers noted changes in strategy following statements by Kim Jong Un."
US: /kɪm dʒɔːŋ ʌn/. Emphasize first syllables: KIM (short i as in kit) with a clean dʒ sound for JONG, and UN as a short, rounded schwa-like /ʌ/ followed by /n/. Stress mainly on the first and second syllables in sequence: KIM JONG UN. For UK/AU speakers, use /kɪm dʒɒŋ ʌn/ and ensure the vowel in JONG is more open mid-back. Practicing slowly with a pause between names helps clarity; you’ll hear the rhythm as three light-weight syllables. Audio reference: listen to news coverage or Pronounce for native-like cadence.
- Merging sounds: avoid connecting Kim and Jong into a single syllable; keep a distinct boundary: /kɪm / /dʒɔːŋ/. - Mispronouncing Jong: avoid a softening or blending of the final ng; ensure final /ŋ/ is clear before the vowel of Un. - Incorrect stress: ensure even emphasis across all three names rather than stressing Kim or Jong disproportionately. - Vowel quality: use /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ in Jong depending on accent; do not nasalize Un. Corrections: isolate each word, practice with minimal pairs, and use IPA-guided pronunciation drills in isolation before full phrase practice.
US: tense /ɔː/ in Jong, more rhotic and clearly enunciated; Un often with /ʌ/. UK: typically /kɪm dʒɒŋ ʌn/ with shorter vowel in Jong, less rhotic influence. AU: similar to UK but with more vowel flattening and potential vowel raising in some speakers; ensure the /ɒ/ in Jong is clear and Un remains /ʌn/. Across all, the final /n/ is crisp, but non-rhotic tendencies may affect the Dh/Th-like boundary if spoken quickly. Focus on keeping Jong distinct from Kim and Un in all accents.
Phonetic challenges center on three elements: the tight boundary between Kim and Jong (avoid linking them too closely), accurate realization of Jong’s vowel (often /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ depending on accent), and the final Un vowel which tends toward a short /ʌ/ or a schwa-like sound before /n/. The sequence contains a voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/ in Jong that can blur if rushed. Mastery comes from segmenting the name into three precise syllables and practicing with slow, IPA-guided drills to maintain each sound distinctly.
Note the triplet rhythm: three evenly-timed syllables with clear separation between Kim, Jong, and Un. The J in Jong is always /dʒ/, not /j/ or /jɒŋ/; keep a brief pause between names to avoid fusion. The final Un should not be elongated or fully pronounced as a separate accented syllable; keep it light and quick, like /ʌn/. Eye-tracking your mouth in a mirror while saying each part slowly can help you lock the three distinct articulations.
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Kim Jong Un is a Sino-Korean name built from three elements: Kim (김) is one of the most common Korean family names; Jong (종) is a given-name element often meaning “bell” or “proper,” depending on hanja; and Un (은) is a common given-name element meaning “mercy,” “grace,” or “silver” depending on hanja. In Korean, family name comes first, followed by generational name elements that comprise the given name. The modern usage of Kim Jong Un as the North Korean leader emerged after the 1994 death of Kim Il-sung; official media usage solidified in the 2010s as Pyongyang’s leadership transitioned to Kim Jong Un. The Sino-Korean components are often rendered in English as Kim Jong Un, preserving the Korean phonology rather than full English transliteration. The first widely reported international use of this exact romanization pattern appears in late 20th to early 21st century media, with increasing precision in press briefings, academic works, and government communications as part of standard diplomatic naming conventions.
💡 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 "Kim Jong Un" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Kim Jong Un"
-awn sounds
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