How Many Syllables In Barbara?
3syllables
Barbara has 3 syllables, bar-bar-a. It is a trisyllabic word.
barbara
/ˈbɑː.bər.ə/ UK /ˈbɑːr.bɚ.ə/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, bar.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/bɑː.bər.ə/
Division By Letters
bar-bar-a
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Barbara
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 | b | ɑː | – | CV | open |
| 2 | b | ə | r | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Barbara Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /b/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in Barbara?
Barbara has 3 syllables, bar-bar-a. In British English it is transcribed /ˈbɑː.bər.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in Barbara?
The first syllable, bar, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of Barbara?
Barbara has the structure CV/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide Barbara into syllables?
By sound, bɑː.bər.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, bar-bar-a.