How Many Syllables In Unfriendly?
3syllables
Unfriendly has 3 syllables, un-friend-ly. It is a trisyllabic word.
unfriendly
/ʌnˈfrend.li/ UK /ʌnˈfrend.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, friend.
Syllable Structure
VC/CCVCC/CV
Division By Sound
/ʌn.frend.li/
Division By Letters
un-friend-ly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Unfriendly
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ʌ | n | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | fr | e | nd | CCVCC | closed |
| 3 | l | i | – | CV | open |
Why Unfriendly Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /fr/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /nd/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in unfriendly?
Unfriendly has 3 syllables, un-friend-ly. In British English it is transcribed /ʌnˈfrend.li/.
Which syllable is stressed in unfriendly?
The second syllable, friend, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of unfriendly?
Unfriendly has the structure VC/CCVCC/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide unfriendly into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.frend.li. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-friend-ly.