2 syllables: Yu, zu. Stress on Yu.
YOO-zoo
/ˈjuːzuː/
Yuzu is pronounced YOO-zoo (/ˈjuːzuː/). It has two syllables (Yu-zu), with the stress on "Yu". Yuzu is a small citrus fruit from East Asia, prized for its bright, floral aroma and tart juice. In culinary use, it adds a distinctive, fragrant citrus note to sauces, desserts, and beverages, and its rind is often zested. The word also names the evergreen tree bearing the fruit. It is widely used in Japanese, Korean, and fusion cuisines.
nounYuzu is a small citrus fruit from East Asia, prized for its bright, floral aroma and tart juice. In culinary use, it adds a distinctive, fragrant citrus note to sauces, desserts, and beverages, and its rind is often zested. The word also names the evergreen tree bearing the fruit. It is widely used in Japanese, Korean, and fusion cuisines.
"I grated yuzu zest over the grilled fish for a bright finish."
"The yuzu marmalade balanced the sweetness with a sharp citrus kick."
"A few drops of yuzu juice can elevate cocktails and dressings."
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈjuː-zu/. The stress falls on the first syllable. Start with an English long “you” phoneme /juː/—lips rounded but relaxed—then glide into a clear /zu/ with a short, crisp z and a short u as in 'zoo' without prolonging it. In IPA: /ˈjuː.zu/. Listen for a quick second syllable without extra vowel reduction.
Common errors: 1) Compressing into one syllable (you-zoo) or elongating the second syllable (yu-zuu). 2) Slurring the z into a plain 's' or 'z' sound; keep a voiced alveolar fricative /z/ with a crisp stop closure before it. 3) Misplacing vowel quality, making /juː/ sound too close to /ju/ or /uː/. Use /ˈjuː.zu/ with a clean, short second vowel. Practice by isolating /ˈjuː/ then adding /zu/ quickly.
In US/UK/AU, the leading vowel in /ˈjuː/ is similar, but rhoticity affects streaming after r-bearing words; yuzu itself is non-rhotic, so no /r/ addition. The /zu/ ending remains, but British English speakers may slightly shorten the second vowel and reduce final vowel length in casual speech; Australian speakers often reduce vowel length slightly and may have a crisper /u/ in /ˈjuː/ depending on regional accent. Overall, the core sounds stay /ˈjuː.zu/ across accents.
Difficulties stem from two front vowels in quick succession and a voiced /z/ between them. The first syllable /ˈjuː/ requires a precise, long rounded vowel, followed by a brief /zu/ with a voiced alveolar fricative; English speakers often diphthongize or misplace the stress. Also, the word’s two identical vowels can tempt vowel length changes. Focus on a clean, tight transition between /juː/ and /zu/.
Yuzu uniquely emphasizes a high-front rounding vowel /ˈjuː/ and a crisp /zu/ ending that mirrors other two-syllable citrus names in East Asian cuisine. The emphasis on aroma-rich rind notes makes the word feel brisk and bright when spoken in culinary contexts. The double vowel configuration can mislead speakers into a prolonged second syllable; keep the second syllable short and clipped for naturalness.
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- US: Keep a mid-to-high back /uː/ with lip rounding; rhythm tends to be crisper, final vowel duration short. - UK: Slightly less vowel length, more clipped second syllable; maintain non-rhoticity, no /r/ insertion. - AU: Similar to US but with slightly broader diphthongs; maintain the /juː/ on the first syllable; keep the /z/ audible and not devoiced. IPA references: US /ˈjuː.zu/, UK /ˈjuː.zu/, AU /ˈjuː.zu/.
Yuzu traces to the Japanese yu:zu? The term entered English via culinary contexts in the 20th century as East Asian cuisine popularized its use. The citrus itself is believed to have originated in China and was introduced to Japan in ancient and medieval periods, where it hybridized with other citrus species to yield the modern yuzu. The name’s transliteration likely derives from a Chinese or Korean root word for the citrus, though precise etymology is debated. Over centuries, yuzu became integral to East Asian cooking, valued for its rind and juice. In English-language cookbooks and menus, it emerged as a loanword to describe both the fruit and its aroma, eventually gaining status as a premium ingredient in modern gastronomy. First known usage in English citations appears in culinary literature in the late 19th to early 20th century as Western chefs encountered Japanese cuisine through trade and exposition. The fruit’s cultural cachet grew with sushi and ramen trends, and later in haute cuisine and mixology, where yuzu is celebrated for its fragrant zest, bright acidity, and ability to pair with both delicate and bold flavors.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Yuzu" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Yuzu" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Yuzu"
-sh) sounds
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