How Many Syllables In Hippopotamus?
5syllables
Hippopotamus has 5 syllables, hipp-o-pot-a-mus. It is a polysyllabic word.
hippopotamus
/ˌhɪp.əˈpɒt.ə.məs/ UK /ˌhɪp.əˈpɑː.t̬ə.məs/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, pot.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/hɪp.ə.pɒt.ə.məs/
Division By Letters
hipp-o-pot-a-mus
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Hippopotamus
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 | h | ɪ | p | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | p | ɒ | t | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 5 | m | ə | s | CVC | closed |
Why Hippopotamus Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /p/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
- Between syllables 4 and 5, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in hippopotamus?
Hippopotamus has 5 syllables, hipp-o-pot-a-mus. In British English it is transcribed /ˌhɪp.əˈpɒt.ə.məs/.
Which syllable is stressed in hippopotamus?
The third syllable, pot, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of hippopotamus?
Hippopotamus has the structure CVC/V/CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide hippopotamus into syllables?
By sound, hɪp.ə.pɒt.ə.məs. By letters, as a spelling guide, hipp-o-pot-a-mus.
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