How Many Syllables In Girlfriend?
2syllables
Girlfriend has 2 syllables, girl-friend. It is a disyllabic word.
girlfriend
/ˈɡɜːl.frend/ UK /ˈɡɝːl.frend/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, girl.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CCVCC
Division By Sound
/ɡɜːl.frend/
Division By Letters
girl-friend
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Girlfriend
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 | ɡ | ɜː | l | CVC | closed |
| 2 | fr | e | nd | CCVCC | closed |
Why Girlfriend Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /fr/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in girlfriend?
Girlfriend has 2 syllables, girl-friend. In British English it is transcribed /ˈɡɜːl.frend/.
Which syllable is stressed in girlfriend?
The first syllable, girl, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of girlfriend?
Girlfriend has the structure CVC/CCVCC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide girlfriend into syllables?
By sound, ɡɜːl.frend. By letters, as a spelling guide, girl-friend.