How to Pronounce “capitulate”

American (US)

/kəˈpɪt͡ʃ.(j)ʊ.leɪt/

British (UK)

/kəˈpɪ.tjʊ.leɪt/

verb — To surrender on stipulated terms, end all resistance, give up, go along with or comply.

Example: He argued and hollered for so long that I finally capitulated just to make him stop.

The final e is silent. The transcription /kəˈpɪt͡ʃ.(j)ʊ.leɪt/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “capitulate” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “capitulate” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kəˈpɪt͡ʃ.(j)ʊ.leɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /kəˈpɪt͡ʃ.(j)ʊ.leɪt/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "capitulate" mean?

capitulate (verb): To surrender on stipulated terms, end all resistance, give up, go along with or comply. For example — He argued and hollered for so long that I finally capitulated just to make him stop.

How do you pronounce "capitulate" in American vs British English?

American English: /kəˈpɪt͡ʃ.(j)ʊ.leɪt/. British English: /kəˈpɪ.tjʊ.leɪt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "capitulate"?

/kəˈpɪt͡ʃ.(j)ʊ.leɪt/ in American English, /kəˈpɪ.tjʊ.leɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "capitulate"?

“capitulate” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kəˈpɪt͡ʃ.(j)ʊ.leɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.