transcription, транскрипция: [ rē-ˈyü-(ˌ)kyü, -(ˌ)kü ]
geographical name
islands W Pacific extending between Kyushu, Japan, & Taiwan; belonged to Japan 1895-1945; occupied by United States 1945; returned to Japan in 1953 (N islands) and 1972 (S islands) area about 850 square miles (2202 square kilometers ), population 1,222,458 — see Amami , Okinawa , Osumi Islands , Sakishima Islands , Tokara Islands
• Ryu·kyu·an -ˌkyü-ən, -ˌkü- adjective or noun