How to pronounce capital
Say it like KAP-uh-tul. Capital has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce capital. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAP
- uh
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Capital pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of capital
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: KAP-ih-tul.
What does capital mean?
- assets available for use in the production of further assets
- wealth in the form of money or property owned by a person or business and human resources of economic value
- a seat of government
- first-rate“a capital fellow”“a capital idea”
- of primary importance“our capital concern was to avoid defeat”
- uppercase“capital A”“great A”
Where does capital come from?
Doublet of cattle and chattel.
Questions about saying capital
How do you pronounce capital?
Say KAP-uh-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˈkæpətəl/. In British English it is /ˈkæpɪtəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in capital?
Capital has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAP). Broken into parts: KAP · uh · tul.
Is capital pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈkæpɪtəl/ (KAP-ih-tul).