coup
der Coup, die Coups
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coup
A surprising, bold, and usually successful action or clever move. It often refers to a brilliant business or political stroke.
Mit dem Kauf des Konkurrenten ist dem Unternehmen ein echter Coup gelungen.
By buying its competitor, the company pulled off a real coup.
coup
A violent overthrow or coup in which an existing government is illegally removed from power. Often used in the expression 'Coup d’État'.
Das Militär versuchte einen Coup gegen den Präsidenten.
The military attempted a coup against the president.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Coups |
| genitive | des Coups |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Coup | die Coups |
| accusative | den Coup | die Coups |
| dative | dem Coup | den Coups |
| genitive | des Coups | der Coups |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Coup' (coup) from context. If it is about a clever business or everyday action, it means a successful clever move. In a political or military context, it usually means a coup or attempted overthrow.
Mit dieser Werbekampagne ist der Marketingabteilung ein echter Coup gelungen.
With this advertising campaign, the marketing department pulled off a real coup.
Die Nachrichtensender berichteten live über den Coup des Militärs.
The news channels reported live on the military's coup.
When a 'Coup' (coup) describes a successful action, it is often combined with verbs like 'landen' (to land/pull off) or 'gelingen' (to succeed). Typical adjectives are 'genial' (brilliant), 'überraschend' (surprising), or 'ein echter' (a real).
Dem Autor ist mit seinem neuen Roman ein Bestseller-Coup gelungen.
The author pulled off a bestseller coup with his new novel.
Die Firma landete einen Coup, als sie den Konkurrenten übernahm.
The company pulled off a coup when it took over its competitor.
The phrasing 'jemandem gelingt ein Coup' (someone pulls off a coup) is very common. The person or institution that is successful is in the dative.
Dem kleinen Start-up gelang ein Coup gegen die große Konkurrenz.
The small start-up pulled off a coup against the large competitors.
In the meaning of 'Putsch' (coup), the original French form 'Coup d’État' is often used. This expression is a clear indication of a violent political overthrow.
In der Geschichte des Landes gab es mehrere Coups d'État.
There were several coups d'état in the country's history.
throw / litter
In the expression „ein großer Wurf“, Wurf refers to a particularly successful or significant achievement, often also a new creation. Coup, by contrast, emphasizes a surprising, bold, and successful action. Wurf is therefore more suitable for a new idea, while Coup is more suitable for a clever maneuver.
Mit dem überraschenden Kauf des Konkurrenten gelang dem Unternehmen ein Coup.
The company's surprise purchase of its competitor was a coup.
Mit dem neuen sparsamen Modell gelang dem Unternehmen ein großer Wurf.
With the new fuel-efficient model, the company achieved a major success.
