How to Pronounce Masochism: A Step-by-Step Guide

masochism pronounce

The term masochism is often misunderstood, and its pronunciation can be tricky for many. To pronounce masochism correctly, it’s important to break it down into its syllables and understand the stress on each part. The word is derived from the name of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, an Austrian novelist, and refers to the psychological tendency of deriving pleasure from one’s own pain or humiliation.

The correct pronunciation of masochism is /ˈmæsəkɪzəm/ in UK English and /ˈmæsoʊkɪzəm/ in US English. This can be phonetically spelled as MAS-uh-kiz-uhm (UK) or MAS-oh-kiz-uhm (US). The stress is on the first syllable (MAS), followed by a softer pronunciation of the remaining syllables. Many people mispronounce it by stressing the second syllable or by misplacing the emphasis entirely.

Syllable Breakdown:

1. MAS – The first syllable is pronounced like “mas” in “mass.”
2. uh – The second syllable is a short “uh” sound, almost like a soft “a.”
3. kiz – The third syllable is pronounced like “kiz” in “kiss.”
4. uhm – The final syllable is a soft “uhm” sound, similar to “um” in “hum.”

Common mispronunciations include:
– Stressing the second syllable (e.g., ma-SO-chism).
– Pronouncing the “ch” sound as a hard “k” instead of a soft “k” sound.
– Overemphasizing the final syllable, leading to a clipped or awkward pronunciation.

By practicing the correct stress and syllable breakdown, you can master the pronunciation of masochism and use it confidently in conversations or written content.