Yoshioka is a Japanese surname pronounced as /joʃioka/. The spelling of this word is in accordance with the Japanese writing system known as "Hiragana". The sound /jo/ represents the combination of the consonant /j/ and the vowel /o/ whereas /ʃi/ is a combination of the consonant /ʃ/ and the vowel /i/. The syllable /o/ is pronounced longer than the previous one, and the last syllable /ka/ is pronounced with a slight emphasis. Overall, the spelling of "Yoshioka" perfectly represents its pronunciation in Japanese.
The word "Yoshioka" is a surname of Japanese origin. Its etymology can be broken down as follows:
- "Yo" (与): This kanji character means "give" or "gift". It can also imply "bestow" or "provide".
- "Shio" (岳): This kanji character refers to a mountain peak or a high mountain. It can denote "mountain" or "peak" in names and surnames.
- "Ka" (加): This kanji character can have various meanings, such as "add", "increase", or "augment". It can also indicate "joining" or "attachment".
Therefore, the combination of these three kanji characters, "Yo-Shi-Oka", would roughly translate to "bestow upon mountains" or "augment a peak".