How Many Syllables In Motherhood?
3syllables
Motherhood has 3 syllables, moth-er-hood. It is a trisyllabic word.
motherhood
/ˈmʌð.ə.hʊd/ UK /ˈmʌð.ɚ.hʊd/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, moth.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC
Division By Sound
/mʌð.ə.hʊd/
Division By Letters
moth-er-hood
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Motherhood
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 | ʌ | ð | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | h | ʊ | d | CVC | closed |
Why Motherhood Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /ð/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /h/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in motherhood?
Motherhood has 3 syllables, moth-er-hood. In British English it is transcribed /ˈmʌð.ə.hʊd/.
Which syllable is stressed in motherhood?
The first syllable, moth, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of motherhood?
Motherhood has the structure CVC/V/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide motherhood into syllables?
By sound, mʌð.ə.hʊd. By letters, as a spelling guide, moth-er-hood.