How Many Syllables In Downstairs?
2syllables
Downstairs has 2 syllables, down-stairs. It is a disyllabic word.
downstairs
/ˌdaʊnˈsteəz/ UK /ˌdaʊnˈsterz/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, stairs.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CCVC
Division By Sound
/daʊn.steəz/
Division By Letters
down-stairs
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Downstairs
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 | d | aʊ | n | CVC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | st | eə | z | CCVC | closed |
Why Downstairs Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /st/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in downstairs?
Downstairs has 2 syllables, down-stairs. In British English it is transcribed /ˌdaʊnˈsteəz/.
Which syllable is stressed in downstairs?
The second syllable, stairs, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of downstairs?
Downstairs has the structure CVC/CCVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide downstairs into syllables?
By sound, daʊn.steəz. By letters, as a spelling guide, down-stairs.