skopje: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, geographical, historical, political
Quick answer
What does “skopje” mean?
The capital and largest city of North Macedonia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The capital and largest city of North Macedonia.
Refers specifically to the geographical location, the administrative centre of North Macedonia, and by extension, its culture, history, and political institutions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling. Pronunciation may vary slightly as per IPA.
Connotations
Neutral geographical/political reference in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, appearing primarily in geographic, historical, or news contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “skopje” in a Sentence
Skopje + [verb of being/location][Preposition] + SkopjeSkopje, which + [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skopje” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Skopje-based companies
- a Skopje landmark
American English
- Skopje-based firms
- a Skopje institution
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Our regional office for the Balkans is located in Skopje."
Academic
"The 1963 earthquake in Skopje drastically altered the city's urban planning paradigm."
Everyday
"We're flying into Skopje for a short holiday next month."
Technical
"The seismic retrofit standards applied in Skopje post-1963 are a case study in engineering."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “skopje”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skopje”
- Misspelling as 'Skopie' or 'Scopje'.
- Mispronouncing the final '-je' as /dʒiː/ instead of /jeɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The only standard English spelling for the capital of North Macedonia is 'Skopje'. 'Scopje' and 'Skopie' are common misspellings.
Yes, in antiquity it was known as Scupi. Under Ottoman rule, it was called Üsküp. These are historical names, not contemporary English variants.
It can be used attributively in a compound noun, e.g., 'Skopje traffic', 'Skopje culture'. It is not inflected (it remains 'Skopje').
Typically in geopolitical, economic, or cultural reports related to North Macedonia, Balkan politics, EU accession talks, or regional history.
The capital and largest city of North Macedonia.
Skopje is usually formal, geographical, historical, political in register.
Skopje: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskɒp.jeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskoʊp.jeɪ/ or /ˈskɑːp.jeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SKOP the map to find JE (the) capital. SKOP-JE.
Conceptual Metaphor
CITY AS A HEART (e.g., Skopje is the beating heart of North Macedonia).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common standard British English pronunciation of 'Skopje'?