How do you pronounce Sansui?
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clydeselsor
Lunatic Member
Sahn? Like the rath of Kahn (con)? I always thought it was san, as in rhymes with can. Although sahn sounds more distinguished!
Scorpion8
Addicted Member
Arkay
Lunatic Member
The "San" should, indeed, rhyme with "can", at least in the usual English pronunciation.
The "soo-yee" or "soo-ee" part is slightly different according to which language/dialect you are speaking. Since it is based on the (originally Chinese) characters for "mountain" and "water" (i.e., sea), it is read as a "local" word in China and Korea, as well as Japan, since those countries also use Chinese characters (although only partly and more historically in Korea).
Assuming you want Japanese, because the brand comes from Japan, then the above transliteration comes pretty close.
In Cantonese (the Chinese dialect spoken here in Hong Kong) the pronunciation of "San" rhymes more with "Kahn" and the second syllable is closer to "soy" (although it is subtlely different in ways I can say, but have no idea how to reproduce in English writing).
In Mandarin, the pronunciation would be more like "Shan" + "shway".
Oh, and the name is said (or at least thought of) as basically TWO syllables in any of these languages/dialects, NOT three syllables as many English speakers might want to do with the "san-soo-ee" breakdown. The last two sounds blend one into the other as a diphthong (like "oi/oy" in English: you don't say "boy" as two syllables just because the sound is written "bo-yee").
The "soo-yee" or "soo-ee" part is slightly different according to which language/dialect you are speaking. Since it is based on the (originally Chinese) characters for "mountain" and "water" (i.e., sea), it is read as a "local" word in China and Korea, as well as Japan, since those countries also use Chinese characters (although only partly and more historically in Korea).
Assuming you want Japanese, because the brand comes from Japan, then the above transliteration comes pretty close.
In Cantonese (the Chinese dialect spoken here in Hong Kong) the pronunciation of "San" rhymes more with "Kahn" and the second syllable is closer to "soy" (although it is subtlely different in ways I can say, but have no idea how to reproduce in English writing).
In Mandarin, the pronunciation would be more like "Shan" + "shway".
Oh, and the name is said (or at least thought of) as basically TWO syllables in any of these languages/dialects, NOT three syllables as many English speakers might want to do with the "san-soo-ee" breakdown. The last two sounds blend one into the other as a diphthong (like "oi/oy" in English: you don't say "boy" as two syllables just because the sound is written "bo-yee").
MarkMeyer
Active Member
I rather prefer to pronounce it describing the resultant effects of using Sansui equipment, more properly pronounced "Feng shui". 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_Shui
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_Shui
sleddogman
Super Member
I can attest that the Japanese A is pronounced "ah" as Urizen and Arkay have noted. Because an English A can have either a long and short sound, we tend to use the short A sound that rhymes with can. There are also many instances where the letter U is a lightly pronounced (or unvoiced altogether.)
Next time you have nothing to do, enter "sansui" in an eBay search and take note of all the Japanese sansui landscape scrolls that come up. They're rather beautiful meldings of both art and calligraphy.
Next time you have nothing to do, enter "sansui" in an eBay search and take note of all the Japanese sansui landscape scrolls that come up. They're rather beautiful meldings of both art and calligraphy.
CUlater
Member #287, thereabouts
So, seriously, how do you pronounce Sansui?
Its pronounced "throat-warbler-mangrove".
Oh, and welcome to AK!
You mean it ain't San-Soo-Chi?
onepixel
.
That's it. The san should sound like kahn and not can. With each syllable clearly enunciated and emphasis on the soo.
I speak Japanese.
San-sue-ee!
I like my sansui cassette deck with matching tuner... even if it is considered BPC in fact the tuner is my signature pic!
I like my sansui cassette deck with matching tuner... even if it is considered BPC in fact the tuner is my signature pic!
Morden2004
Relaxin'
San-sooee
Well, I better make this a FAQ :thmbsp:
Thanks for the very good discourse on how to say 'San-sooee'!
Paul
Well, I better make this a FAQ :thmbsp:
Thanks for the very good discourse on how to say 'San-sooee'!
Paul
Twenty20Man
Is that you Michael?
its almost like calling the pigs in from the landscape
Duffinator
Spin The Black Circle
Mark's got it.I rather prefer to pronounce it describing the resultant effects of using Sansui equipment, more properly pronounced "Feng shui".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_Shui
Here's what they say: Today's Feng Shui schools teach that it is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment.
Here's what I say: It's perfect harmony to my ears.
Sahn or San it's still Sansui to me.
