How Many Syllables In Empathy?
3syllables
Empathy has 3 syllables, em-pa-thy. It is a trisyllabic word.
empathy
/ˈem.pə.θi/ UK /ˈem.pə.θi/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, em.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CV
Division By Sound
/em.pə.θi/
Division By Letters
em-pa-thy
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Empathy
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 | – | e | m | VC | closed |
| 2 | p | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | θ | i | – | CV | open |
Why Empathy Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /m/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /θ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in empathy?
Empathy has 3 syllables, em-pa-thy. In British English it is transcribed /ˈem.pə.θi/.
Which syllable is stressed in empathy?
The first syllable, em, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of empathy?
Empathy has the structure VC/CV/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide empathy into syllables?
By sound, em.pə.θi. By letters, as a spelling guide, em-pa-thy.