How to pronounce counterpart
Say it like KOWN-ter-part. Counterpart has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce counterpart. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOWN
- ter
- part
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Counterpart pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- partGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of counterpart
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KOWN-tuh-paht.
What does counterpart mean?
- a person or thing having the same function or characteristics as another
- a duplicate copy
Where does counterpart come from?
From Middle English conterpart, countre parte (“duplicate of a legal document”), equivalent to counter- + part.
Questions about saying counterpart
How do you pronounce counterpart?
Say KOWN-ter-part. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaʊntɚˌpɑrt/. In British English it is /ˈkaʊntəˌpɑːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in counterpart?
Counterpart has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWN). Broken into parts: KOWN · ter · part.
Is counterpart pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkaʊntəˌpɑːt/ (KOWN-tuh-paht).