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How do you pronounce bokeh?

yoyostockyoyostock Registered Users Posts: 120 Major grins
edited January 17, 2007 in Technique
I've seen it written and referred to, but have no idea how to pronounce it. Is it like "boke" (like "broke," without the r) or like "bouquet" or "boca" (as in Boca Raton) or something else? Help!

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    gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2007
    I assume its said differently depending on what part of the worlk your from but i pronounce it 'book-uh'
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    mwgricemwgrice Registered Users Posts: 383 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2007
    See this article by Mike Johnston of the Online Photographer for a discussion of the pronunciation of bokeh (and bokeh in general).
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    BeachBillBeachBill Registered Users Posts: 1,311 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2007
    See this.
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    wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2007
    Just like "iceberg", with a silent i,c,e,b,e,r and g.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
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    jsedlakjsedlak Registered Users Posts: 487 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2007
    I always pronounced it bo-keh like in the article. bo as in boat.
    jsedlak.smugmug.com
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    ShimaShima Registered Users Posts: 2,547 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2007
    I usually say bo keh... but it's sooo easy for me to slip into the Japanese pronounciation of bo-ke (bough-kay) because I'm conversationally fluent in Japanese so whenever I don't know how to say a word I'm apt to pronounce it Japanese style.
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    ed_hed_h Registered Users Posts: 191 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2007
    I asked an expat friend of mine who has lived in Japan for the last 20 years or so. (Rob's a lawyer dealing in international trade)
    his reply

    Hi Ed,

    I can't remember whether I sent you new years greetings so happy new year in case I didn't. May 2007 bring you continued health and happiness.

    The word has quite a few meanings actually. It comes from the verb 'bo-ke-ru' which can mean to lose colour, fade and also to be dull or even feel dull. You can actually even call someone a 'boke' which is quite rude and means they are an idiot for doing something negligently. Out of focus is also correct for photography as you say and also blurred as in vision.

    I know you didn't want a lesson in Japanese, just wanted to know how to say it but there you have it.

    Bo is like Bo in 'Bob' and Ke is like Ke in 'kennel'.

    Hope all is well.
    Best regards

    Rob
    A dog is for life, not just Christmas
    http://www.dogshome.org.au/
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    pug8pug8 Registered Users Posts: 113 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2007
    ed_h wrote:

    Bo is like Bo in 'Bob' and Ke is like Ke in 'kennel'.

    Yep, that's a good way of teaching it.
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    TommyboyTommyboy Registered Users Posts: 590 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2007
    jsedlak wrote:
    I always pronounced it bo-keh like in the article. bo as in boat.

    And keh as in Ken, apparently. It is Japanese, after all.
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    StustaffStustaff Registered Users Posts: 680 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2007
    Tommyboy wrote:
    And keh as in Ken, apparently. It is Japanese, after all.

    I always pronounced it Bock (as in Dock) and eh (as in er)

    For what its worth in this part of England! (Derbyshire) calling someone a Bokker means they are a chav or a scrubber.
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    DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited January 17, 2007
    Stustaff wrote:
    calling someone a Bokker means they are a chav or a scrubber.
    oh yeah, that helps! headscratch.gifne_nau.giflol3.gif
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]

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    StustaffStustaff Registered Users Posts: 680 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2007
    DoctorIt wrote:
    oh yeah, that helps! headscratch.gifne_nau.giflol3.gif

    erm ok someone who has not much money and dresses poorly!

    Like wearing horrible tracksuits and is common sounding usually.

    Other words we use are Nubber or tramp!

    here is the dictionary definition

    Main Entry: chavPart of Speech: nDefinition: the lower class; uneducated and ignorant peopleExample: Etymology: perh. Romany chav childUsage: derogatory slang
    Trapped in my bedroom taking pictures...did i say bedroom? i meant studio!

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