How to Pronounce “status quo”

American (US)

/ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwoʊ/

British (UK)

/ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwəʊ/

noun — The state of things; the way things are, as opposed to the way they could be; the existing state of affairs.

Where the stress falls. “status quo” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwoʊ/ 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. /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwoʊ/ 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 "status quo" mean?

status quo (noun): The state of things; the way things are, as opposed to the way they could be; the existing state of affairs.

How do you pronounce "status quo" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwoʊ/. British English: /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwəʊ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "status quo"?

/ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwoʊ/ in American English, /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwəʊ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "status quo"?

“status quo” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwoʊ/ 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.