How to Pronounce “coup d'état”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/
- British (UK)
- /ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/
What “coup d'état” means
noun — The sudden overthrow of a government, differing from a revolution by being carried out by a small group of people who replace only the leading figures.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “coup d'état” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "coup d'état" mean?
coup d'état (noun): The sudden overthrow of a government, differing from a revolution by being carried out by a small group of people who replace only the leading figures.
How do you pronounce "coup d'état" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "coup d'état", /ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "coup d'état"?
/ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/ in American English, /ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "coup d'état"?
“coup d'état” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/ 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.
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