How to pronounce cooperation
Say it like kwah-puh-RAY-shun. Cooperation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cooperation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kwah
- puh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cooperation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kwahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cooperation
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 5.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: koh-op-uh-RAY-shun.
What does cooperation mean?
- joint operation or action“their cooperation with us was essential for the success of our mission”
- the practice of cooperating“economic cooperation”“they agreed on a policy of cooperation”
Where does cooperation come from?
First attested in 1620–1630.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with cooperation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cooperation.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- organization
- nation
- application
Questions about saying cooperation
How do you pronounce cooperation?
Say kwah-puh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkwɑpəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /kəʊˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cooperation?
Cooperation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: kwah · puh · RAY · shun.
Is cooperation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 5. The British form is /kəʊˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/ (koh-op-uh-RAY-shun).