How Many Syllables In Ottawa?
3syllables
Ottawa has 3 syllables, ott-a-wa. It is a trisyllabic word.
ottawa
/ˈɒt.ə.wə/ UK /ˈɑː.t̬ə.wə/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ott.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/ɒt.ə.wə/
Division By Letters
ott-a-wa
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Ottawa
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 | – | ɒ | t | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | w | ə | – | CV | open |
Why Ottawa Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /w/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in Ottawa?
Ottawa has 3 syllables, ott-a-wa. In British English it is transcribed /ˈɒt.ə.wə/.
Which syllable is stressed in Ottawa?
The first syllable, ott, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of Ottawa?
Ottawa has the structure VC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide Ottawa into syllables?
By sound, ɒt.ə.wə. By letters, as a spelling guide, ott-a-wa.