How Many Syllables In Superstition?
4syllables
Superstition has 4 syllables, su-per-stit-ion. It is a polysyllabic word.
superstition
/ˌsuː.pəˈstɪʃ.ən/ UK /ˌsuː.pɚˈstɪʃ.ən/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, stit.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/CCVC/VC
Division By Sound
/suː.pə.stɪʃ.ən/
Division By Letters
su-per-stit-ion
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Superstition
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | s | uː | – | CV | open |
| 2 | p | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | st | ɪ | ʃ | CCVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ə | n | VC | closed |
Why Superstition Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /p/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /st/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /ʃ/.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˌsuː.pəˈstɪʃ.ən/ | /ˌsuː.pɚˈstɪʃ.ən/ | 4 |
| Also | /ˌsjuː.pəˈstɪʃ.ən/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in superstition?
Superstition has 4 syllables, su-per-stit-ion. In British English it is transcribed /ˌsuː.pəˈstɪʃ.ən/.
Which syllable is stressed in superstition?
The third syllable, stit, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of superstition?
Superstition has the structure CV/CV/CCVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide superstition into syllables?
By sound, suː.pə.stɪʃ.ən. By letters, as a spelling guide, su-per-stit-ion.