2 syllables: na, zis. Stress on na.
/ˈnɑtsiz/
Say it backNazis refers to members or supporters of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, historically the Nazi party in Germany (1933–45); it is used to describe extremist ideologies and individuals associated with that movement. The term can be used descriptively or pejoratively and is typically encountered in discussions of history, politics, or contemporary extremism. The word carries strong emotional and ethical connotations and should be used with care to avoid endorsing or minimizing harm.
"The documentary examines how the Nazis came to power in the 1930s."
"She joined a group that vehemently opposed Nazi ideology and its symbols."
"The museum exhibit traces the propaganda used by the Nazis to manipulate public opinion."
Pronounce as /ˈnæ.tsiːz/ in most English varieties. The first syllable has a stressed short a as in cat, followed by a consonant cluster /ts/ typical of German loanwords, and ends with a long /iː/ plus final /z/. Mouth positioning: start with a relaxed jaw, elevate the tongue for /æ/, then release a crisp /t͡s/ combined with /iː/ and a voiced /z/ at the end. You’ll hear a brief pause if you say it slowly; in connected speech, the final /z/ often links to the next word.
Common mistakes include pronouncing it with a simple /z/ or /ziz/ ending instead of the /t͡siːz/ cluster, and misplacing the stress, such as /ˈneɪzɪz/ or /ˈnoʊzɪz/. Another error is coalescing /ts/ into /t/ or /s/ prematurely, which weakens the German-influenced /ts/ blend. To correct: practice the /t͡siː/ blend by saying ‘cats’ with a crisp /t͡s/ release, then glide into a long /iː/ followed by /z/. Emphasize the first syllable.
In US, you’ll often hear /ˈnæ.tsiːz/ with a relatively flat /æ/ and a clear /t͡s/; in some UK varieties, /ˈnɑː.tiz/ or /ˈnæ.tsiːz/ may occur, with vowel quality influenced by rhoticity and vowel length. Australian speakers commonly render it as /ˈnæː.tsiːz/ with a longer /æː/ vowel and a softened /t͡s/ release. Across all, the critical feature is the /t͡s/ affricate; many non-native or quick speech forms drop or simplify it to /t/ or /z/, which is inaccurate.
The difficulty lies in the Germanic-influenced affricate /t͡s/ right after a stressed syllable, which isn’t common in many languages; coupled with a long /iː/ before a voiced final /z/, the sequence can be unintuitive. Learners may substitute /t/ or /s/ for /t͡s/, or misplace the tongue, turning it into /tiz/ or /siːz/. Focusing on a crisp /t͡s/ release and a distinct /iː/ helps maintain accuracy.
The plural noun ends with an /z/ sound after the /iː/ vowel, so be careful not to devoiced or omit the final /z/ in fluent speech. Also, the /t͡s/ cluster is essential: pronounce it as a single, rapid affricate immediately before the long /iː/. Misplacing the /t͡s/ or replacing it with /t/ or /s/ is a hallmark error. Practicing the /t͡s/ sequence in isolation helps solidify accuracy.
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The word Nazi is a shortened form of the German word Nationalsozialist, from Nationalsozialist—combining National (nation) with Sozialist (socialist). The term emerged in the early 1920s as a colloquial, often pejorative nickname for members of the Nazi Party, formed in the context of post–World War I Germany and the rise of fascist movements. The suffix -i or -y in German can create a familiar or dismissive tone, which contributed to the English adoption of Nazi as a label. The political organization itself adopted the term in its own branding, but outside observers frequently used Nazi or Nazism to denote the broader ideology and regime. Over time, “Nazi” became an international shorthand for the totalitarian system led by Adolf Hitler, with the term carrying moral and historical weight. The first known uses in English date from the 1930s as German influence and documentation infiltrated English-language discourse; in many contexts, it has retained the stark, condemning usage that reflects the atrocities of the Holocaust and World War II era.
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Words that rhyme with "nazis"
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