sou: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, historical, or idiomatic. Rare in everyday conversation except in specific phrases.
Quick answer
What does “sou” mean?
A former French coin of very low value (originally the solidus), now used to mean a trivial amount of money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A former French coin of very low value (originally the solidus), now used to mean a trivial amount of money.
A metaphorical term for something worthless or of negligible value; a pittance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and understood in both varieties, primarily appearing in historical or literary contexts. The currency reference is explicitly French.
Connotations
Old-fashioned, archaic, literary. Evokes images of historical poverty or French settings.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British English due to historical and geographical proximity to France.
Grammar
How to Use “sou” in a Sentence
I haven't got a sou.It's not worth a sou.He spent his last sou.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical or economic texts discussing pre-decimal French currency.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used for hyperbolic or humorous effect: 'I'm broke, haven't got a sou!'
Technical
Used in numismatics (the study of coins).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sou”
- Misspelling as 'sow' (to plant seeds/a female pig).
- Using it as a modern synonym for common coins like 'pence' or 'cents'.
- Incorrect pronunciation as /saʊ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The sou was a pre-decimal French coin. France now uses the Euro.
It would sound archaic and affected. Use 'cent', 'penny', or 'small change' instead.
The plural is also 'sous' (pronounced the same: /suːz/).
Historically, a sou was worth 5 centimes. Both refer to low-value French coins, but 'sou' is the older, more idiomatic term.
A former French coin of very low value (originally the solidus), now used to mean a trivial amount of money.
Sou is usually literary, historical, or idiomatic. rare in everyday conversation except in specific phrases. in register.
Sou: in British English it is pronounced /suː/, and in American English it is pronounced /suː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not have a sou to one's name”
- “not worth a sou”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SOU'nding poor, with no money to SPEND (the 'sou' was spent).
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS VALUE / LACK OF MONEY IS WORTHLESSNESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'sou' be LEAST appropriate?