How Many Syllables In Mayonnaise?
3syllables
Mayonnaise has 3 syllables, mayonn-ai-se. It is a trisyllabic word.
mayonnaise
/ˌmeɪ.əˈneɪz/ UK /ˈmeɪ.əˌneɪz/ US
Mayonnaise can also be said with 2 syllables (UK /ˌmeɪəˈneɪz/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, se.
Syllable Structure
CV/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/meɪ.ə.neɪz/
Division By Letters
mayonn-ai-se
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Mayonnaise
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 | m | eɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | n | eɪ | z | CVC | closed |
Why Mayonnaise Divides Here
- Two vowels meet between syllables 1 and 2, so syllable 2 has no onset.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˌmeɪ.əˈneɪz/ | /ˈmeɪ.əˌneɪz/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˌmeɪəˈneɪz/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in mayonnaise?
Mayonnaise has 3 syllables, mayonn-ai-se. In British English it is transcribed /ˌmeɪ.əˈneɪz/.
Which syllable is stressed in mayonnaise?
The third syllable, se, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of mayonnaise?
Mayonnaise has the structure CV/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide mayonnaise into syllables?
By sound, meɪ.ə.neɪz. By letters, as a spelling guide, mayonn-ai-se.