How to Pronounce Koan

To pronounce "koan", say KOAN — one syllable, IPA /ˈkəʊ.ɑːn/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

koan

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Accent

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/ˈkəʊ.ɑːn/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “koan”

"koan" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat.

What does koan mean?

noun

  1. A story about a Zen master and his student, sometimes like a riddle, other times like a fable, which has become an object of Zen study, and which, when meditated upon, may unlock mechanisms in the Zen student’s mind leading to satori.
  2. A riddle with no solution, used to provoke reflection on the inadequacy of logical reasoning, and to lead to enlightenment.

Hear “koan” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Related words

mondoparadoxzazentelltalezenitudesotokinhinetoki

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "koan"?▾

"Koan" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "koan"?▾

The IPA transcription of "koan" is /ˈkəʊ.ɑːn/.

What does "koan" mean?▾

Koan: A story about a Zen master and his student, sometimes like a riddle, other times like a fable, which has become an object of Zen study, and which, when meditated upon, may unlock mechanisms in the Zen student’s mind leading to satori.

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