How to Pronounce “Copenhagen”

American (US)

/ˌkoʊpənˈheɪɡən/

British (UK)

/ˌkəʊpənˈheɪɡən/

proper noun — The capital city of Denmark.

Where the stress falls. “Copenhagen” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkoʊpənˈheɪɡən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌkoʊpənˈheɪɡən/ 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 "Copenhagen" mean?

Copenhagen (proper noun): The capital city of Denmark.

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

American English: /ˌkoʊpənˈheɪɡən/. British English: /ˌkəʊpənˈheɪɡən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Copenhagen"?

/ˌkoʊpənˈheɪɡən/ in American English, /ˌkəʊpənˈheɪɡən/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Copenhagen"?

“Copenhagen” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkoʊpənˈheɪɡən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.