2 syllables: Rei, ki. Stress on Rei.
RAY-kee
/ˈɹeɪki/
Reiki is pronounced RAY-kee (/ˈɹeɪki/). It has two syllables (Rei-ki), with the stress on "Rei". Reiki is a system of energy healing in which practitioners place their hands near or on a client to channel universal life energy. The term, derived from Japanese, emphasizes a holistic approach to balance, relaxation, and self-healing. It combines a philosophical framework with practical techniques used for stress reduction and wellness, usually taught through attunements and guided practice.
nounReiki is a system of energy healing in which practitioners place their hands near or on a client to channel universal life energy. The term, derived from Japanese, emphasizes a holistic approach to balance, relaxation, and self-healing. It combines a philosophical framework with practical techniques used for stress reduction and wellness, usually taught through attunements and guided practice.
How to Pronounce Reiki
"She took a Reiki class to learn how to relax clients during massage therapy."
"The patient reported deep relaxation after a Reiki session."
"She integrates Reiki with mindfulness to support emotional balance."
Pronounce as two syllables: REI-kee. IPA for US/UK speakers is /ˈreɪ.ki/. The first syllable uses the long A as in 'ray,' the second is a soft /i/ as in 'see' but shorter. Keep stress on the first syllable. Mouth posture: start with a wide smile for /ɹeɪ/ then drop to a relaxed /ki/ with a small, clipped /i/. Audio reference: listening to a native speaker or reputable pronunciation tool will confirm the two-clear-syllable pattern.
Two common errors: 1) Flattening the vowel to a short /e/ or /ɛ/ like 'reh-kee' instead of /ˈreɪ/; fix by prolonging the first vowel and using a diphthong /eɪ/. 2) Diminishing the second syllable to a short, abrupt /ki/ without a clear vowel; ensure a light, unstressed but present /i/ vowel and keep it syllabic rather than a hard consonant. Practice with minimal pairs, avoiding overly rapid transition between syllables.
In US/UK, /ˈreɪ.ki/ with a clear /eɪ/ diphthong. In Australian speech, you may hear a slightly longer first vowel and a more centralized /ɪ/ or /i/ in the second syllable, so /ˈriː.ki/ or /ˈreɪ.ki/?—but most speakers use /ˈreɪ.ki/; ensure the second syllable is light and rapid rather than full. Across accents, the main variance is vowel length and quality, not the consonants.
The challenge lies in two-syllable balance and the diphthong /eɪ/ in the first syllable paired with a short /i/ in the second. Many non-native speakers misplace the stress or smooth the vowels into monophthongs, losing the intended two-diphthong rhythm. Practicing with native audio helps you feel the lift from /eɪ/ to /ki/ and keeps the syllables distinct.
The word begins with the R-colored vowel onset /ɹ/ followed by a clear /eɪ/ digit, not a flat /e/ or /ɪ/. The second syllable uses a lax, short /i/; it’s not a long /iː/. This combination—strong first syllable, brief second syllable—gives Reiki its recognizable two-beat rhythm.
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Reiki originates from Japanese; rei- meaning universal or spirit and ki meaning life energy or breath. The term was coined in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui, who described a hands-on method to channel universal life energy for healing. The concept blends traditional Japanese spiritual practices with a modern wellness framework. The first known written account of Reiki appeared in Usui’s teaching materials and subsequent founder lineages in the 1920s–1930s, expanding through Asia and eventually the West. As Reiki gained popularity, practice manuals and attunement sequences were codified by various teachers, preserving a core belief in universal energy that responds to intention, with emphasis on compassionate touch, presence, and mindful breathing. Over the decades, Reiki has diversified into multiple styles (e.g., Usui, Japanese Reiki Touch), though the foundational idea remains: to facilitate self-healing by aligning body, mind, and energy. First widely documented adoption outside Japan occurred in the 1930s–1960s, accompanying broader interest in complementary and alternative medicine.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Reiki" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Reiki" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Reiki"
-aky sounds
-eky sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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