Language can sometimes feel like a puzzle, especially when it borrows words from other languages. Some words look English but follow different spelling rules when it comes to making them plural. One such word is “coup.”
You may have heard it used in politics, like “a coup against the government,” or in everyday conversation, like “pulling off a major coup at work.” But what happens when you need to talk about more than one coup? Do you just add an s and call it a day, or is there something trickier going on?
Don’t worry you’re not alone if you’ve wondered about this. Today, we’ll break it down step by step. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what the plural of coup is, how to use it correctly, and even some fun background about where the word comes from. Let’s get started!
What Does the Word “Coup” Mean?
Before we jump into the plural form, it helps to understand the word itself.
A coup is a French word that has made its way into English. In French, “coup” literally means a blow or a strike. Over time, its meaning expanded in English to represent:
- A sudden, successful action.
- A quick, decisive event.
- A political takeover.
For example:
- “He pulled off a real coup by winning the contract.”
- “The military staged a coup against the government.”
So, depending on context, coup can be used in politics, business, or even everyday conversation.
What Is the Plural of Coup?
Now to the main question: What is the plural of coup?
The answer is: coups.
Yes, you simply add an -s at the end. Unlike some tricky French loanwords that keep their French plural endings (like “bureau” → “bureaux”), coup has been fully adopted into English. That means it follows the regular English rule of adding an s to make it plural.
So:
- One coup
- Two coups
Pretty simple, right?
Why Isn’t It “Coupes”?
Good question! You might look at the spelling and think the plural should be “coupes.” After all, in English, when we add s to words ending in consonants, sometimes spelling changes.
But here’s the key: the p at the end of “coup” is silent. It’s not pronounced. So when you add an s, the word becomes coups (pronounced the same way: koo).
Adding “-es” would look like “coupes,” which is actually a different word in English. A coupé (pronounced koo-pay) is a type of car with two doors. See how spelling can lead us astray?
That’s why the correct plural of coup is coups not coupes.
How Do You Pronounce “Coups”?
This part can be confusing because the spelling doesn’t look like the sound.
- Coup is pronounced like koo.
- Coups (plural) is also pronounced koos.
The p is silent in both versions. This is because the word comes from French, where silent letters are common.
So whether you’re saying one coup or multiple coups, the pronunciation is almost the same just with an s sound at the end for the plural.
Is Coup Singular or Plural?
Let’s clear up another common confusion:
- Coup (without the s) is singular. It refers to just one event or action.
- Coups (with the s) is plural. It refers to more than one event or action.
Examples:
- “The coup shocked the entire country.” (singular)
- “The last decade saw three coups in the region.” (plural)
Real-Life Examples of Coup vs. Coups
Let’s look at some practical sentences to see how this works:
Singular (Coup):
- “Winning the lottery felt like a coup for the family.”
- “The coup against the king changed history.”
- “Landing that job was a real coup for her career.”
Plural (Coups):
- “There have been several coups in the country’s history.”
- “The company achieved many coups in international markets.”
- “Political coups often happen suddenly and without warning.”
By practicing with sentences, it becomes much easier to remember the correct form.
Where Does the Word Coup Come From?
Here’s a fun fact: coup is originally a French word. In French, “coup” means a blow, strike, or sudden action.
You’ll see it in many French expressions that we also use in English:
- Coup d’état – A sudden overthrow of the government.
- Coup de grâce – A final blow, often merciful, that ends something.
- Coup de foudre – Literally “strike of lightning,” often used to mean love at first sight.
When English borrowed the word, it kept the spelling and some of the silent letters. Over time, though, it became simpler in everyday use. In English, we mostly say just coup or coups.
Why Do Some French Words Keep Their French Plurals?
This is another great question. Words like bureau become bureaux in plural. So why doesn’t coup follow that pattern?
The reason is that English tends to simplify borrowed words over time. Some keep their French rules, while others adapt to regular English rules.
- Coup → coups (simple English plural).
- Bureau → bureaux or bureaus (both accepted in English).
- Beau → beaux or beaus (again, both forms exist).
So, coup is one of the easier ones it doesn’t have a tricky French-style plural to memorize.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning the plural of coup, here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
- Writing “coupes” instead of “coups.”
Remember, “coupes” refers to cars, not political events or successes. - Pronouncing the “p.”
The p in coup and coups is always silent. Don’t say koop say koo. - Mixing up singular and plural.
Double-check your sentence. If you’re talking about more than one event, use coups.
How to Remember the Plural of Coup Easily
Here’s a simple trick:
- Think of the word soup.
- When you make it plural, it’s soups.
- Coup works the same way: coup → coups.
Both are short words ending with a silent letter, and both just add s in the plural.
Fun Facts About the Word Coup
To keep things interesting, here are a few fun extras:
- The full French phrase “coup d’état” is often shortened in English to just “coup.”
- A coup de grâce originally referred to the final strike in battle that ended a soldier’s suffering. Today, it’s used more metaphorically, like “Her amazing performance was the coup de grâce of the evening.”
- “Coup” isn’t only about politics. In business, sports, or even personal life, a coup can mean any smart or successful move.
Quick Recap
Let’s review the key points so they stick:
- The plural of coup is coups.
- The p is silent in both singular and plural.
- It follows normal English plural rules just add s.
- Don’t confuse coups with coupes (the cars).
- Coup means a sudden, decisive action, often a political takeover, but also used in everyday situations.
Conclusion
So, what have we learned? The word coup might look complicated, but its plural is actually one of the easiest: just add an s to make coups.
Remember, the p is silent, the meaning is versatile, and it’s a word you’ll often hear in news, politics, and even casual conversation. The next time someone mentions a coup or several coups you’ll know exactly what they mean and how to use the word yourself.
Language can sometimes throw us curveballs, especially with borrowed words, but coup is thankfully a straightforward one. Now you can confidently talk about coups without hesitation.
And here’s a final fun thought: learning little details like this might feel like a small achievement, but in its own way, that’s a coup for you!