How Many Syllables In Familiar?
4syllables
Familiar has 4 syllables, fa-mil-i-ar. It is a polysyllabic word.
familiar
/fəˈmɪl.i.ə/ UK /fəˈmɪl.jɚ/ US
Familiar can also be said with 3 syllables (US /fəˈmɪl.jɚ/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, mil.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V/V
Division By Sound
/fə.mɪl.i.ə/
Division By Letters
fa-mil-i-ar
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Familiar
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | f | ə | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | m | ɪ | l | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | i | – | V | open |
| 4 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Familiar Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 3 and 4, so syllable 4 has no onset.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in familiar?
Familiar has 4 syllables, fa-mil-i-ar. In British English it is transcribed /fəˈmɪl.i.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in familiar?
The second syllable, mil, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of familiar?
Familiar has the structure CV/CVC/V/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide familiar into syllables?
By sound, fə.mɪl.i.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, fa-mil-i-ar.