One syllable: Klein.
kleyen
/klaɪn/
Klein is pronounced kleyen (/klaɪn/). It has one syllable (Klein), with the stress on "Klein". Klein is a German-origin noun used as a surname or as part of proper nouns. In English, it appears in various contexts (e.g., brand names, academic references) and is typically pronounced to preserve the original German vowel and consonant qualities. The word is short, monosyllabic, and often carries a neutral or formal connotation depending on usage.
nounKlein is a German-origin noun used as a surname or as part of proper nouns. In English, it appears in various contexts (e.g., brand names, academic references) and is typically pronounced to preserve the original German vowel and consonant qualities. The word is short, monosyllabic, and often carries a neutral or formal connotation depending on usage.
"The Klein family name appears on the guest list for the conference."
"In sociology, Klein discusses micro-level social interactions."
"We analyzed Klein’s model to understand economic behaviors."
In standard English usage you’ll typically hear /klaɪn/ (rhymes with ‘line’). The initial consonant is a clear /k/; the vowel is a rising diphthong /aɪ/ formed with closed lips and a small jaw drop; finally, the /n/ is released without a nasalized vowel after. If you’re preserving the German feel, you might hear a crisper [klaɪn] with slightly tenser vowel onset and a shorter final n. Listen for the tight mouth position and the gliding /aɪ/ diphthong. Audio reference: match the /klaɪn/ you’d say in ‘line’ but with an extra stop before the /n/.”,
Common errors: (1) Misplacing the /k/ by using a softer k or a glottal stop; (2) treating /aɪ/ as a simple /i/ or /ɪ/ (short vowel); (3) over-emphasizing a German hard final /n/. Correction: produce a clean voiceless velar stop /k/ then glide into the diphthong /aɪ/ with forward tongue height and lips not rounded, ending with a crisp alveolar /n/; keep the tongue near the alveolar ridge and release the nasal quickly without adding extra vowel color.
US: /klaɪn/ with rhotic-free syllable transition and a clear /aɪ/; UK: typically /klaɪn/ as well, may sound slightly crisper with shorter vowel duration; AU: /klaɪn/ but with more tendency toward a non-rhotic, clipped final /n/ in some speakers, and slightly more even vowel length. Across all, stress remains on the single syllable; the main variation is vowel clarity and final nasal release. IPA reminders: US/UK/AU often converge on /klaɪn/ but listen for subtle vowel height and nasal quality differences.
The challenge lies in the tight, high-front tongue position for /aɪ/ and the crisp dental-alveolar release into /n/. Non-native speakers may substitute /aɪ/ with /iː/ or misplace the tongue for /k/ leading to a k-sound with insufficient aspiration. The short, sharp final /n/ can blur when followed by consonants in connected speech. Practice tip: isolate /k/ + /aɪ/ and then practice with a final /n/ in monotone, then in a flow.
A distinctive feature is maintaining the German vowel quality for /aɪ/ in a short, clean diphthong, rather than a drawn-out English /aɪ/. This subtle distinction preserves the brand-name-like crispness of the word, especially in formal or academic contexts. You’ll want to avoid elongating the vowel into /aɪː/ or dipping into /eɪ/ in casual speech. IPA anchor: /klaɪn/ with crisp /k/ and /n/.
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Klein is of German origin, derived from the adjective klein meaning small or little. As a surname, it originated as a nickname for a person who was small in stature or perhaps younger in the family. The word entered English through German-speaking communities and broader European cultural exchange. In German, klein carries the meaning of ‘small’ or ‘little,’ with the root closely related to other West Germanic words like Dutch klein and English ‘clein’ (obsolete). The surname Klein became widespread in German-speaking regions and Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe, often as an identifying descriptor that later evolved into a fixed family name. Its first known uses in English-language contexts appear in the 18th and 19th centuries as immigration and academic exchange expanded, embedding the term in surname usage, brand names, and cultural references. Over time, Klein maintained its original semantic flavor while becoming a generic identifier in diverse domains (science, business, literature), where it is frequently treated as a proper noun and kept unaffixed in pronunciation across languages. Today, the pronunciation tends to reflect the originating German phonology in formal uses, while Anglophone contexts may adapt to local phonetic tendencies without altering the recognizable “klein” vowel quality.
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Help others use "Klein" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Klein" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Klein" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Klein"
-ine sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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