How Many Syllables In Starfish?
2syllables
Starfish has 2 syllables, star-fish. It is a disyllabic word.
starfish
/ˈstɑː.fɪʃ/ UK /ˈstɑːr.fɪʃ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, star.
Syllable Structure
CCV/CVC
Division By Sound
/stɑː.fɪʃ/
Division By Letters
star-fish
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Starfish
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 | st | ɑː | – | CCV | open |
| 2 | f | ɪ | ʃ | CVC | closed |
Why Starfish Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /f/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in starfish?
Starfish has 2 syllables, star-fish. In British English it is transcribed /ˈstɑː.fɪʃ/.
Which syllable is stressed in starfish?
The first syllable, star, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of starfish?
Starfish has the structure CCV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide starfish into syllables?
By sound, stɑː.fɪʃ. By letters, as a spelling guide, star-fish.