How Do You Spell SUR TOUT?

Pronunciation: [sˈɜː tˈa͡ʊt] (IPA)

The spelling of the French phrase "sur tout" may seem confusing to English speakers, as the "s" is pronounced differently from how it is in many English words. In IPA phonetic transcription, the correct pronunciation of "sur tout" is /syʁ tu/. The "s" at the beginning is pronounced like a "z," and the "u" in "sur" is pronounced like the "ou" in "you." The final "t" in "tout" is silent. "Sur tout" translates to "above all" in English.

SUR TOUT Meaning and Definition

  1. "Sur tout" is a French expression that translates to "above all" or "especially" in English. It is a phrase used to emphasize a particular aspect or quality of something or someone. The literal translation of the individual words "sur" and "tout" mean "on" and "all" respectively. However, this phrase is used in a figurative sense, rather than a literal one.

    When "sur tout" is used, it signifies that the mentioned aspect or quality is superior or has maximum importance compared to everything else. It is a way to emphasize a specific point or attribute that stands out or takes precedence.

    For example, if someone says, "La sécurité est sur tout" (Safety is sur tout), it means that safety is the top priority and holds utmost importance in the given context. In this case, safety surpasses all other considerations or factors.

    The usage of "sur tout" is common in both conversational and formal contexts and can be applied to various situations. It is a versatile phrase that allows the speaker to place emphasis on a specific aspect, principle, or quality that takes precedence and should not be overlooked.

Common Misspellings for SUR TOUT

  • curtout
  • shurtout
  • ssurtout
  • suurtout
  • surtout
  • aur tout
  • zur tout
  • xur tout
  • dur tout
  • eur tout
  • wur tout
  • syr tout
  • shr tout
  • sjr tout
  • sir tout
  • s8r tout
  • s7r tout
  • sue tout
  • sud tout
  • suf tout

Etymology of SUR TOUT

The etymology of the phrase sur tout is a combination of two words: sur and tout.

The word sur comes from Old French sor, which ultimately derives from Latin super. In both Old French and Latin, sur means on, over, or above.

The word tout comes from Old French tot, which also originates from Latin totus meaning whole or entire. Over time, totus evolved into tout in Old French, and the meaning shifted to all or everything.

Therefore, the combination of sur and tout means on all or above all. In modern usage, sur tout is often translated as especially or above all.

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