How Many Syllables In Cafeteria?
5syllables
Cafeteria has 5 syllables, caf-e-te-ri-a. It is a polysyllabic word.
cafeteria
/ˌkæf.əˈtɪə.ri.ə/ UK /ˌkæf.əˈtɪr.i.ə/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, te.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CV/CV/V
Division By Sound
/kæf.ə.tɪə.ri.ə/
Division By Letters
caf-e-te-ri-a
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Cafeteria
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 | k | æ | f | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | t | ɪə | – | CV | open |
| 4 | r | i | – | CV | open |
| 5 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Cafeteria Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /f/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 4 and 5, so syllable 5 has no onset.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in cafeteria?
Cafeteria has 5 syllables, caf-e-te-ri-a. In British English it is transcribed /ˌkæf.əˈtɪə.ri.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in cafeteria?
The third syllable, te, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of cafeteria?
Cafeteria has the structure CVC/V/CV/CV/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide cafeteria into syllables?
By sound, kæf.ə.tɪə.ri.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, caf-e-te-ri-a.
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