How Many Syllables In “what”?
1syllable
“what” has 1 syllable. It is a monosyllabic word.
what
/wɒt/ UK /wʌt/ US
Stress
“what” is a function word. In connected speech it usually takes its weak form, and it is stressed only for emphasis.
Division By Sound
/wɒt/
Division By Letters
what
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of What
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | w | ɒ | t | CVC | closed |
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong form | /wɒt/ | /wʌt/ | 1 |
| Weak form | /wət/ | /wət/ | 1 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in what?
“what” has 1 syllable. In British English it is transcribed /wɒt/.
What is the syllable structure of what?
“what” has the structure CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.