How Many Syllables In Retroflex?
3syllables
Retroflex has 3 syllables, ret-ro-flex. It is a trisyllabic word.
retroflex
/ˈret.rəʊ.fleks/ UK /ˈret.roʊ.fleks/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ret.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CCVCC
Division By Sound
/ret.rəʊ.fleks/
Division By Letters
ret-ro-flex
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Retroflex
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 | r | e | t | CVC | closed |
| 2 | r | əʊ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | fl | e | ks | CCVCC | closed |
Why Retroflex Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /fl/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in retroflex?
Retroflex has 3 syllables, ret-ro-flex. In British English it is transcribed /ˈret.rəʊ.fleks/.
Which syllable is stressed in retroflex?
The first syllable, ret, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of retroflex?
Retroflex has the structure CVC/CV/CCVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide retroflex into syllables?
By sound, ret.rəʊ.fleks. By letters, as a spelling guide, ret-ro-flex.