How Many Syllables In Chieftain?
2syllables
Chieftain has 2 syllables, chief-tain. It is a disyllabic word.
chieftain
/ˈtʃiːf.tən/ UK /ˈtʃiːf.tən/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, chief.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/tʃiːf.tən/
Division By Letters
chief-tain
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Chieftain
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 | tʃ | iː | f | CVC | closed |
| 2 | t | ə | n | CVC | closed |
Why Chieftain Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈtʃiːf.tən/ | /ˈtʃiːf.tən/ | 2 |
| Also | /ˈtʃiːf.tɪn/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in chieftain?
Chieftain has 2 syllables, chief-tain. In British English it is transcribed /ˈtʃiːf.tən/.
Which syllable is stressed in chieftain?
The first syllable, chief, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of chieftain?
Chieftain has the structure CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide chieftain into syllables?
By sound, tʃiːf.tən. By letters, as a spelling guide, chief-tain.