How Many Syllables In Amateur?
3syllables
Amateur has 3 syllables, am-a-teur. It is a trisyllabic word.
amateur
/ˈæm.ə.tə/ UK /ˈæm.ə.tʃɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, am.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/æm.ə.tə/
Division By Letters
am-a-teur
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Amateur
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | – | æ | m | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
Why Amateur Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /m/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈæm.ə.tə/ | /ˈæm.ə.tʃɚ/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈæm.ə.tʃʊə/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in amateur?
Amateur has 3 syllables, am-a-teur. In British English it is transcribed /ˈæm.ə.tə/.
Which syllable is stressed in amateur?
The first syllable, am, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of amateur?
Amateur has the structure VC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide amateur into syllables?
By sound, æm.ə.tə. By letters, as a spelling guide, am-a-teur.