How Many Syllables In Delicate?
3syllables
Delicate has 3 syllables, del-i-cate. It is a trisyllabic word.
delicate
/ˈdel.ɪ.kət/ UK /ˈdel.ɪ.kət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, del.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/del.ɪ.kət/
Division By Letters
del-i-cate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Delicate
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 | d | e | l | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | k | ə | t | CVC | closed |
Why Delicate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈdel.ɪ.kət/ | /ˈdel.ɪ.kət/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈdel.ɪ.kɪt/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in delicate?
Delicate has 3 syllables, del-i-cate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈdel.ɪ.kət/.
Which syllable is stressed in delicate?
The first syllable, del, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of delicate?
Delicate has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide delicate into syllables?
By sound, del.ɪ.kət. By letters, as a spelling guide, del-i-cate.