How Many Syllables In Official?
3syllables
Official has 3 syllables, o-ffic-ial. It is a trisyllabic word.
official
/əˈfɪʃ.əl/ UK /əˈfɪʃ.əl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ffic.
Syllable Structure
V/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/ə.fɪʃ.əl/
Division By Letters
o-ffic-ial
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Official
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 2 primary stress | f | ɪ | ʃ | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Official Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /f/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /ʃ/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in official?
Official has 3 syllables, o-ffic-ial. In British English it is transcribed /əˈfɪʃ.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in official?
The second syllable, ffic, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of official?
Official has the structure V/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide official into syllables?
By sound, ə.fɪʃ.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, o-ffic-ial.