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