How Many Syllables In Handkerchief?
3syllables
Handkerchief has 3 syllables, hand-ker-chief. It is a trisyllabic word.
handkerchief
/ˈhæŋ.kə.tʃɪf/ UK /ˈhæŋ.kɚ.tʃɪf/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, hand.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/hæŋ.kə.tʃɪf/
Division By Letters
hand-ker-chief
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Handkerchief
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 | h | æ | ŋ | CVC | closed |
| 2 | k | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | tʃ | ɪ | f | CVC | closed |
Why Handkerchief Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /ŋ/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /tʃ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈhæŋ.kə.tʃɪf/ | /ˈhæŋ.kɚ.tʃɪf/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈhæŋ.kə.tʃiːf/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in handkerchief?
Handkerchief has 3 syllables, hand-ker-chief. In British English it is transcribed /ˈhæŋ.kə.tʃɪf/.
Which syllable is stressed in handkerchief?
The first syllable, hand, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of handkerchief?
Handkerchief has the structure CVC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide handkerchief into syllables?
By sound, hæŋ.kə.tʃɪf. By letters, as a spelling guide, hand-ker-chief.