How Many Syllables In Espionage?
4syllables
Espionage has 4 syllables, es-pi-o-nage. It is a polysyllabic word.
espionage
/ˈes.pi.ə.nɑːʒ/ UK /ˈes.pi.ə.nɑːʒ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, es.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/es.pi.ə.nɑːʒ/
Division By Letters
es-pi-o-nage
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Espionage
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 | – | e | s | VC | closed |
| 2 | p | i | – | CV | open |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | n | ɑː | ʒ | CVC | closed |
Why Espionage Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in espionage?
Espionage has 4 syllables, es-pi-o-nage. In British English it is transcribed /ˈes.pi.ə.nɑːʒ/.
Which syllable is stressed in espionage?
The first syllable, es, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of espionage?
Espionage has the structure VC/CV/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide espionage into syllables?
By sound, es.pi.ə.nɑːʒ. By letters, as a spelling guide, es-pi-o-nage.