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