How Many Syllables In Characteristic?
5syllables
Characteristic has 5 syllables, char-ac-te-ris-tic. It is a polysyllabic word.
characteristic
/ˌkær.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/ UK /ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the fourth syllable, ris.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/CV/CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/kær.ək.tə.rɪs.tɪk/
Division By Letters
char-ac-te-ris-tic
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Characteristic
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | k | æ | r | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | k | VC | closed |
| 3 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
| 4 primary stress | r | ɪ | s | CVC | closed |
| 5 | t | ɪ | k | CVC | closed |
Why Characteristic Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /r/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 4 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in characteristic?
Characteristic has 5 syllables, char-ac-te-ris-tic. In British English it is transcribed /ˌkær.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/.
Which syllable is stressed in characteristic?
The fourth syllable, ris, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of characteristic?
Characteristic has the structure CVC/VC/CV/CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide characteristic into syllables?
By sound, kær.ək.tə.rɪs.tɪk. By letters, as a spelling guide, char-ac-te-ris-tic.
Other Words With Five Syllables
creativityenthusiasmhypocriticalinterpretationmultiplicationperiodicalreactionarytheoreticaluniversityalternatively