How Many Syllables In Reciprocal?
4syllables
Reciprocal has 4 syllables, re-cip-ro-cal. It is a polysyllabic word.
reciprocal
/rɪˈsɪp.rə.kəl/ UK /rɪˈsɪp.rə.kəl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, cip.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/rɪ.sɪp.rə.kəl/
Division By Letters
re-cip-ro-cal
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Reciprocal
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | r | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | s | ɪ | p | CVC | closed |
| 3 | r | ə | – | CV | open |
| 4 | k | ə | l | CVC | closed |
Why Reciprocal Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /s/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in reciprocal?
Reciprocal has 4 syllables, re-cip-ro-cal. In British English it is transcribed /rɪˈsɪp.rə.kəl/.
Which syllable is stressed in reciprocal?
The second syllable, cip, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of reciprocal?
Reciprocal has the structure CV/CVC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide reciprocal into syllables?
By sound, rɪ.sɪp.rə.kəl. By letters, as a spelling guide, re-cip-ro-cal.