How Many Syllables In Pretoria?
4syllables
Pretoria has 4 syllables, pre-to-ri-a. It is a polysyllabic word.
pretoria
/prɪˈtɔː.ri.ə/ UK /prɪˈtɔːr.i.ə/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, to.
Syllable Structure
CCV/CV/CV/V
Division By Sound
/prɪ.tɔː.ri.ə/
Division By Letters
pre-to-ri-a
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Pretoria
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pr | ɪ | – | CCV | open |
| 2 primary stress | t | ɔː | – | CV | open |
| 3 | r | i | – | CV | open |
| 4 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Pretoria Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 3 and 4, so syllable 4 has no onset.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in Pretoria?
Pretoria has 4 syllables, pre-to-ri-a. In British English it is transcribed /prɪˈtɔː.ri.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in Pretoria?
The second syllable, to, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of Pretoria?
Pretoria has the structure CCV/CV/CV/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide Pretoria into syllables?
By sound, prɪ.tɔː.ri.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, pre-to-ri-a.