How to Pronounce Koans

To pronounce "koans", say KOANS — one syllable. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

koans

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Accent

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1

Syllable

5

Letters

KOANS

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💡 Tip for remembering “koans”

"koans" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with jones and homophones, if that helps it stick.

What does koans 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.

Words that rhyme with koans

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

joneshomophonesmilestonesmoansintoneshormonesovertonesloanscobblestonesownssconescheekbones

Related words

transcendentalismexegesesapercusexplicationsmeditationsmetaphysicscogitationspentameter

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "koans"?▾

"Koans" has one syllable.

What does "koans" mean?▾

Koans: 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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