How to pronounce Confucius (孔子) in Chinese
Confucius is 孔子, Kǒngzǐ, "Master Kong": said kóng zǐ, roughly "koong dzz". Hear 孔子 (kǒng zǐ) spoken, see what it means, then record yourself for instant AI feedback on your pronunciation.
孔子
kǒng zǐ
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Characters & meanings
(surname) hole
master (title)
Common mistake
Two third tones: kǒng rises (kóng). zǐ is "dz" plus a buzz, not "zee".
Confucius in Mandarin: what to get right
Confucius (551–479 BC) is the Latinized form of 孔夫子, Kǒng Fūzǐ, "Master Kong", coined by European missionaries in the 16th–17th centuries. In Chinese he is usually 孔子: surname Kǒng plus 子, an honorific for a master.
How English speakers usually say it
Few learners know the Chinese name. Reading the pinyin, they say "kong zee": English "kong" and an "ee" that isn’t there. Pinyin ong is "oong", and in zi the i is not a vowel but a buzz continuing the z.
How to say 孔子 tone by tone
Both syllables are third tones, so the first becomes rising: kóng, aspirated k, "koong", rising. Zǐ: "dz" with the tongue held behind the teeth and the voice buzzing on, low. Rise, then low.
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