How to pronounce realpolitik
Say it like ray-AHL-poh-lih-teek. Realpolitik has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce realpolitik. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ray
- AHL
- poh
- lih
- teek
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Realpolitik pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- AHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of realpolitik
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ray-AHL-pol-ih-teek.
What does realpolitik mean?
- Pragmatic, often expansionist, diplomacy and politics focused on perceived national interests of the state to the near exclusion of ethical, moral, and theoretical objectives.
Where does realpolitik come from?
Borrowed from German Realpolitik (literally “practical, realistic, fact-based, realism-based politics”).
Questions about saying realpolitik
How do you pronounce realpolitik?
Say ray-AHL-poh-lih-teek. The American pronunciation is /reɪˈɑlpoʊlɪˌtik/. In British English it is /reɪˈɑːlpɒlɪˌtiːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in realpolitik?
Realpolitik has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AHL). Broken into parts: ray · AHL · poh · lih · teek.
Is realpolitik pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /reɪˈɑːlpɒlɪˌtiːk/ (ray-AHL-pol-ih-teek).