How Many Syllables In Marathon?
3syllables
Marathon has 3 syllables, mar-a-thon. It is a trisyllabic word.
marathon
/ˈmær.ə.θən/ UK /ˈmer.ə.θɑːn/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, mar.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/mær.ə.θən/
Division By Letters
mar-a-thon
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Marathon
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 | m | æ | r | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | θ | ə | n | CVC | closed |
Why Marathon Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /æ/, so it keeps a coda /r/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /θ/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in marathon?
Marathon has 3 syllables, mar-a-thon. In British English it is transcribed /ˈmær.ə.θən/.
Which syllable is stressed in marathon?
The first syllable, mar, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of marathon?
Marathon has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide marathon into syllables?
By sound, mær.ə.θən. By letters, as a spelling guide, mar-a-thon.