How Many Syllables In Bicycle?
3syllables
Bicycle has 3 syllables, bi-cy-cle. It is a trisyllabic word.
bicycle
/ˈbaɪ.sɪ.kəl/ UK /ˈbaɪ.sɪ.kəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, bi.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/baɪ.sɪ.kəl/
Division By Letters
bi-cy-cle
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Bicycle
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 | aɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 | s | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | k | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Bicycle Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /s/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in bicycle?
Bicycle has 3 syllables, bi-cy-cle. In British English it is transcribed /ˈbaɪ.sɪ.kəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in bicycle?
The first syllable, bi, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of bicycle?
Bicycle has the structure CV/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide bicycle into syllables?
By sound, baɪ.sɪ.kəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, bi-cy-cle.