How do you pronounce Shaolin?

Question

just wondering... haha dont wanna sound an idiot if i say it wrong... i'm thinking of starting Shaolin kung fu next week.

Answer 1

shh you lin

ou is like in the word ouch

Answer 2

..

Show-lin

Answer 3

"SHHHH-OW-Lin"

Answer 4

It depends on the dialect your teacher speaks - if he/she is Chinese that is.

If they are from the south it could be Siu Lim or Siu Lum.

If they are from Fukien it would be Siao Leem.

If it is Mandarin it would be Shao Lin or Sao Lin.

A non-Chinese person will never get the pronunciation correct unless he/she is formally educated in the Chinese language and/or lived in the particular province for an extended length of time.

So in essence, it is not an easy question to ask nor to answer but that's about it.

Answer 5

Its like the way you would say 'ow' like if you hurt yourself, ie.e 'Shaow'

Answer 6

Shao sounds like shower - drop the er

Lin sounds like lint - drop the t