How Many Syllables In Capital?
3syllables
Capital has 3 syllables, cap-i-tal. It is a trisyllabic word.
capital
/ˈkæp.ɪ.təl/ UK /ˈkæp.ɪ.t̬əl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, cap.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/kæp.ɪ.təl/
Division By Letters
cap-i-tal
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Capital
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 | k | æ | p | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | t | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Capital Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in capital?
Capital has 3 syllables, cap-i-tal. In British English it is transcribed /ˈkæp.ɪ.təl/.
Which syllable is stressed in capital?
The first syllable, cap, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of capital?
Capital has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide capital into syllables?
By sound, kæp.ɪ.təl. By letters, as a spelling guide, cap-i-tal.