3 syllables: Ma, chis, mo. Stress on chis.
muh-CHIZ-moh
/məˈtʃɪzmoʊ/
Machismo is pronounced muh-CHIZ-moh (/məˈtʃɪzmoʊ/). It has three syllables (Ma-chis-mo), with the stress on "chis". Machismo is a male-dominated social attitude or ideology that emphasizes toughness, assertiveness, and masculine strength. It often involves the belief that men should be dominant in public and private life, sometimes at the expense of emotion or vulnerability. (2-4 sentences, ~50-80 words).
nounMachismo is a male-dominated social attitude or ideology that emphasizes toughness, assertiveness, and masculine strength. It often involves the belief that men should be dominant in public and private life, sometimes at the expense of emotion or vulnerability. (2-4 sentences, ~50-80 words)
How to Pronounce Machismo
"The festival showcased machismo in its most exaggerated form, with heavy-handed displays of pride."
"She challenged the old guard’s machismo by speaking up for workers’ rights."
"In some cultures, machismo is tied to honor and family duty rather than aggression."
Pronounce as /məˈtʃiːz.moʊ/ (US) or /məˈtʃiːz.məʊ/ (UK/AU). The stress falls on the second syllable: ma-CHEEZ-mo. Start with /mə/ (unstressed schwa + m), then /ˈtʃiːz/ as “cheez” with a long E, and finish with /moʊ/ or /məʊ/ depending on dialect. Imagine “mah-CHEEZ-moh.” An audio reference can help you hear the exact vowel lengths and the final syllable’s schwa in non-rhotic accents.
Common mistakes: (1) stressing the first syllable instead of the second; (2) mispronouncing /tʃ/ as /t/ or /dʒ/; (3) giving the final /moʊ/ a hard /oʊ/ without allowing a soft schwa-influenced ending in non-rhotic speech. Correct by placing primary stress on the second syllable, using /tʃiːz/ for ‘cheez,’ and ending with a light /məʊ/ or /moʊ/ with a quick, reduced final vowel.
In US English, the final /oʊ/ is a clear, rounded vowel; the middle /iː/ is long. In UK English, the final vowel often sounds shorter and more clipped, with a clearer /əʊ/ transition; the /r/ is non-rhotic, so /məˈtʃiːz.məʊ/ no post-vocalic /r/. Australian English tends to have a broad /əʊ/ and a more centralized middle vowel; the second syllable retains prominence but with a slightly flatter intonation. Overall, stress remains on syllable 2, and /tʃiːz/ remains consistent across accents.
Two main challenges: (1) the /tʃ/ blend in the middle can be tricky when quickly transitioning from /iː/ to /z/. Keep the tongue blade high for /tʃ/ before a sharp /z/. (2) The second syllable carries strong stress, but the surrounding vowels are reduced in natural speech. Aim for a steady /iː/ and a clean /z/ before the final /moʊ/ or /məʊ/. Practicing with minimal pairs helps stabilize the rhythm.
Machismo uniquely emphasizes a strong, clear /tʃiːz/ in the second syllable, with a lateral release into /z/ before the /m/ of the final syllable. This creates a recognizable /ˈtʃiːz/ cluster that riders on the accent’s degree of vowel length. Practice by isolating /tʃiːz/ sounds with a held /iː/ before smoothly gliding into /z/ and then /moʊ/ or /məʊ/.
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- US: rhotic, final /r/ absent; emphasize /ˈtʃiːz/; keep final /oʊ/ rounded. - UK: non-rhotic, more clipped final vowel; ensure /əʊ/ is clear; stress remains on syllable 2. - AU: broader vowel sounds, slightly longer final diphthong; keep the /iː/ length and the final /əʊ/ or /oʊ/ quality. IPA references: /təˈtʃiːz.moʊ/ (US), /təˈtʃiːz.məʊ/ (UK/AU).
Machismo comes from Spanish machismo, formed from macho, meaning ‘male animal, male or manly person,’ with the -ismo suffix denoting a doctrine or system. The root macho traces to Late Latin masculus (‘manly’), from Latin mascom or masculus, ultimately related to the Proto-Italic mas- meaning ‘manly, male.’ In 19th-20th century Spanish, machismo referred to a cultural attitude privileging male authority. The term spread globally through sociological and cultural discourse on gender roles, especially in discussions of Latin American societies where traditional gender norms were framed as “machismo.” In English, machismo entered common usage mid-20th century, retaining its cultural resonance while broadening to describe any overt male-dominant attitude. As gender studies evolved, machismo increasingly carried pejorative connotations, distinguishing it from general masculinity and focusing on power, control, and gendered expectations rather than biological sex alone.
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Words that rhyme with "Machismo"
-smo sounds
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