2 syllables: Ka, put. Stress on put.
kuh-PUUT
/kəˈpʊt/
Kaput is pronounced kuh-PUUT (/kəˈpʊt/). It has two syllables (Ka-put), with the stress on "put". Kaput is an adjective meaning broken or not functioning, often used colloquially. It conveys that something has failed or ceased to work, usually after fault or damage. The term can carry a slightly humorous or resigned tone, and is common in English-speaking contexts outside formal writing.
adjectiveKaput is an adjective meaning broken or not functioning, often used colloquially. It conveys that something has failed or ceased to work, usually after fault or damage. The term can carry a slightly humorous or resigned tone, and is common in English-speaking contexts outside formal writing.
"The factory shutdown put the whole line kaput, so we had to shut down production."
"My phone battery finally died; it’s kaput and won’t turn on."
"The old projector is kaput, so we’ll need to bring a new one to the presentation."
Pronunciation is KA-poot, with the first syllable stressed. IPA: US ˈkæ.pʊt, UK ˈkæ.pət, AU ˈkeɪ.pət. The first vowel is a short æ like cat, the second is a short vowel that often reduces to a schwa in faster speech. Practice by saying KA as in 'cat', then POOT quickly as 'put' but with a shorter, relaxed vowel. Listen to native speakers for subtle vowel quality changes.
Common errors include reducing the first syllable to a lax kə- (like 'kuh-put'), misplacing stress on the second syllable, and pronouncing the second syllable with a full 'oo' as in 'boot' rather than the shorter schwa or reduced vowel. Correction tips: emphasize the first syllable KA with a clear æ, keep the second syllable short (pət or pʊt), and avoid elongating the final vowel. Use minimal pairs to train the exact vowel quality.
In US,ˈkæ.pʊt with a clearer second vowel closer to ə or ʊ; stress on the first syllable. In UK,ˈkæ.pət with a more centralized second vowel, often a weaker schwa; faster articulation, lightly reduced final consonant. In AU,ˈkeɪ.pət orˈkæ.pət, the first vowel can be more open or diphthongized depending on regional variation, with the final -t sometimes softened or flapped. Overall, final t can be unreleased in fast speech.
Two main challenges: the short, clipped second syllable requiring vowel reduction (often a schwa or near-ʊ) and the final consonant t which can be unreleased in rapid speech. Additionally, the initial æ vowel must be precise and avoid a lax schwa, which is common in casual speech. Practicing with controlled syllables KA- and a quick -pət or -pʊt helps stabilize rhythm and prevents mispronunciations.
In rapid or informal speech, the final 't' is frequently unreleased or softened (pə or pʊ), especially in American and British quick talk. In careful speech, you’ll hear a crisp final [t] as in [ˈkæ.pʊt]. To sound natural, practice both: start with a fully pronounced [t], then move to a softer, clipped [t̚] depending on tempo and context.
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US: clear æ in KA, then short ɪ or ʊ in the second syllable, final t often unreleased. UK: more centralized second vowel, lighter overall, final t may be unreleased in connected speech. AU: sometimes diphthongized first vowel (keɪ) or a crisp æ; final t varies by tempo, often unreleased in casual speech. IPA references help track changes: US ˈkæ.pʊt, UK ˈkæ.pət, AU ˈkeɪ.pət. Pay attention to rhoticity, though kaput is non-rhotic in some contexts.
Kaput comes from the German word kaputt, meaning broken, spoiled, or ruined. The term entered English usage in the early 20th century, likely through military or industrial slang, where it described equipment that was irreparably damaged. The component kaputt itself is a compound built from kaputt in German, with the final -t forming a masculine/neuter adjective in German grammar. In English usage, kaput is often used as an uninflected loanword, adopting the German negative connotation of failure while sometimes carrying a light-hearted or resigned tone. Over time, kaput has widened beyond mechanical failure to describe anything that has ceased to function or be usable, including plans, systems, or hopes. First known English appearances appear in mid-20th-century American texts, reflecting the broader popularization of German loanwords in casual speech after international conflict and in postwar popular culture. Today, kaput remains common in informal registers, especially in conversations about electronics, machinery, or situations where something has irreversibly stopped working.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Kaput" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Kaput" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Kaput"
-oot sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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