Kyu
Kyu is a Japanese go term adopted into English. It is a student's rank in Japan. Dan is a master's rank. By definition difference of n-kyu means that the players have approximately equal chances to win when playing with an n-stone handicap.
1st kyu is only a stone weaker that 1st dan (shodan). The level of a beginner is assumed to be around 30th kyu.
Benjamin Geiger: When actually pronouncing rank, does one use ordinal numbers or simple numerals? (Am I "twenty-three kyu" or "twenty-third kyu"?) I've heard both used, but the simple numeral form seems to be most prevalent.
Dieter: I think I use the numeral form except sometimes for the number 1.
gimpf: If I remember right, in martial arts the ordinal form is used - I think it's the same here.
StupidUserName: This is why I play mostly on the internet: you don't have to know how to pronounce things. For years I was saying "jo SEE ki" instead of "jo SEH ki" to my endless embarrassment.
eluusive?: How is this pronouced? I've heard both "KI-you" and "kyou." Which is correct?
Dieter: IMO, as you would pronounce "kew" in English.
ZeroKun: More like keeuu, don't make them sound long or you'll sound silly :)
Bob Myers: *Not* like "keeuu", but rather like the last part of "thank you". See Japanese Go Pronunciations.
Bildstein: Like the letter: Q
Heresiarch: I pronounced it so much like the letter Q, that a friend I taught to play was convinced it _was_ the letter Q. Oops.