German word

Coup

Pronunciation

IPA/kuː/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncoup

Example

Der Galerist landete bei der Auktion einen Coup.

The gallery owner pulled off a coup at the auction.

Illustration for Coup (coup)

More examples

Die Veranstalter feierten nach dem Launch einen überraschenden Coup.

After the launch, the organizers celebrated an unexpected coup.

Core concept

A sudden, high-profile stroke of success that makes people take notice.

Common phrases

  • einen Coup landen

    pull off a coup

  • ein großer Coup

    a major coup

Similar words

Erfolg: A general success achieved by reaching a goal.
Sensation: An event that sparks widespread excitement or surprise.
Durchbruch: A major advance achieved by breaking through a barrier.

Definition in German

Coup bezeichnet einen plötzlichen, spektakulären Erfolg, der meist als einmalige, medienwirksame Leistung wahrgenommen wird.

Word origin

German borrowed Coup from French coup, meaning a blow or strike, and extended it to a striking success.

Usage tips

  • Coup is masculine in German, so the usual forms are der Coup, einen Coup, and mehrere Coups.

Other meanings

  • coup d'étatnoun
  • featnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Coupversuchcoup attemptnoun
  • Mediencoupmedia coupnoun

Word lists with this word