How Many Syllables In Caretaker?
3syllables
Caretaker has 3 syllables, care-ta-ker. It is a trisyllabic word.
caretaker
/ˈkeə.teɪ.kə/ UK /ˈker.teɪ.kɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, care.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/CV
Division By Sound
/keə.teɪ.kə/
Division By Letters
care-ta-ker
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Caretaker
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 | k | eə | – | CV | open |
| 2 | t | eɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | k | ə | – | CV | open |
Why Caretaker Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in caretaker?
Caretaker has 3 syllables, care-ta-ker. In British English it is transcribed /ˈkeə.teɪ.kə/.
Which syllable is stressed in caretaker?
The first syllable, care, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of caretaker?
Caretaker has the structure CV/CV/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide caretaker into syllables?
By sound, keə.teɪ.kə. By letters, as a spelling guide, care-ta-ker.