How to Pronounce Kuru
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Kuru Pronunciation
KOO-roo
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
KOO
stress here
roo
2 syllables
What is Kuru?
A fatal prion disease that was epidemic among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea, transmitted through the ritual practice of consuming the brains and nervous tissue of deceased relatives. Once the practice was stopped, the epidemic ended; kuru was crucial in establishing the concept of infectious proteins (prions) as disease agents.
Questions About Kuru
How do you pronounce the word kuru?
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Kuru is pronounced "KOO-roo." Both syllables sound the same—they rhyme with "boo" and "zoo." Say it like you're saying "coo" (the sound a dove makes) twice in a row.
Which syllable in kuru is stressed?
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The first syllable is stressed: KOO-roo. You put a bit more emphasis and volume on the "KOO" part, and the second syllable is softer and quieter.
How many syllables does kuru have?
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Kuru has two syllables: KU-RU. It's a short, simple word to say once you know the pronunciation.
What is a common mispronunciation of kuru?
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Some people accidentally stress the second syllable and say "ku-ROO" instead of "KOO-roo." The correct way puts the emphasis on the first syllable, not the second.
Where does the word kuru come from?
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Kuru is a word from the Fore language, spoken by the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. Unlike many medical terms that come from Greek or Latin, this term comes directly from the indigenous language of the region where the condition was first identified and studied.
What does kuru mean in plain English?
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In the Fore language, kuru roughly means "to shake" or "shaking." The word describes the trembling and shaking movements that are associated with this condition.
Can you use kuru in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The study of kuru in the 1950s and 1960s helped scientists understand how infectious proteins could cause disease." In medical discussions, kuru is always used as a noun—the name of a specific condition.
Is there a short form or abbreviation for kuru?
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No, kuru does not have a standard abbreviation. The word is short enough on its own, and medical professionals simply say or write "kuru" in full.