Hyphenation ofself-dissatisfied
Syllable Division:
self-dis-sat-is-fied
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/selfˌdɪsˈsætɪsfaɪd/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
01001
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('sat'). Secondary stress on the first syllable ('self').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, diphthong.
Open syllable.
Closed syllable.
Closed syllable.
Closed syllable.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: self
Old English, reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix.
Root: satisfy
Latin *satisfacere*, meaning 'to do enough for'.
Suffix: ied
English adjectival suffix forming a past participle.
Not pleased or content with oneself; feeling or expressing dissatisfaction with one's own character, achievements, or situation.
Examples:
"He was a self-dissatisfied man, always striving for more."
"She felt self-dissatisfied despite her accomplishments."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar structure with the 'un-' prefix.
Root word, demonstrating the impact of prefixes on stress.
Shares the 'dis-' prefix, illustrating stress patterns.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Consonant Division
Syllables are generally divided after a vowel sound followed by a consonant sound.
Open vs. Closed Syllables
Syllables ending in a vowel sound are open; those ending in a consonant sound are closed.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The combination of two prefixes (*self-* and *dis-*) is relatively uncommon.
Vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is a general phonetic phenomenon.
Summary:
The word 'self-dissatisfied' is divided into five syllables: self-dis-sat-is-fied. It consists of two prefixes ('self-' and 'dis-'), the root 'satisfy', and the suffix '-ied'. Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('sat'). Syllabification follows standard vowel-consonant division rules, resulting in a mix of open and closed syllables.
Detailed Analysis:
Analysis of "self-dissatisfied" (English (GB))
1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced /selfˌdɪsˈsætɪsfaɪd/ in General British English.
2. Syllable Division: self-dis-sat-is-fied
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix, indicating the action is performed by the subject upon itself.
- Prefix: dis- (Latin dis- meaning "apart, not") - negative prefix, indicating reversal or negation.
- Root: satisfy (Latin satisfacere - to do enough for) - the core meaning of contentment.
- Suffix: -ied (English) - adjectival suffix forming a past participle, functioning as an adjective here.
4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the third syllable: dis-SAT-is-fied. Secondary stress is on the first syllable: SELF-dis-SAT-is-fied.
5. Phonetic Transcription: /selfˌdɪsˈsætɪsfaɪd/
6. Edge Case Review: The combination of prefixes and the length of the word create a complex syllabic structure. The vowel sounds within the root (satisfy) are reduced in unstressed syllables, a common feature of English phonology.
7. Grammatical Role: The word functions primarily as an adjective. While it could theoretically be part of a more complex verb phrase (e.g., "to feel self-dissatisfied"), the syllabification and stress remain consistent.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Not pleased or content with oneself; feeling or expressing dissatisfaction with one's own character, achievements, or situation.
- Grammatical Category: Adjective
- Synonyms: discontented, unhappy, dissatisfied, unfulfilled
- Antonyms: satisfied, content, pleased, fulfilled
- Examples: "He was a self-dissatisfied man, always striving for more." "She felt self-dissatisfied despite her accomplishments."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Unsatisfied: un-SAT-is-fied - Similar structure, stress on the second syllable. The addition of 'un-' shifts the stress slightly.
- Satisfied: SAT-is-fied - Simpler structure, stress on the first syllable. Demonstrates how prefixes influence stress placement.
- Disappointed: dis-a-POINT-ed - Similar prefix 'dis-', but different root. Stress falls on the third syllable.
Syllable Breakdown Details:
- self: /self/ - Open syllable, containing a diphthong. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) creates an open syllable. No exceptions.
- dis: /dɪs/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) creates an open syllable. No exceptions.
- sat: /sæt/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant creates a closed syllable. No exceptions.
- is: /ɪs/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant creates a closed syllable. No exceptions.
- fied: /faɪd/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by a consonant creates a closed syllable. No exceptions.
Exceptions/Special Cases:
- The combination of two prefixes (self- and dis-) is relatively uncommon, but doesn't alter the basic syllabification rules.
- The vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is a general phonetic phenomenon, not a syllabification exception.
Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Consonant Division: Syllables are generally divided after a vowel sound followed by a consonant sound.
- Open vs. Closed Syllables: Syllables ending in a vowel sound are open; those ending in a consonant sound are closed.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
- Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in "self" to /sl̩f/, creating a syllabic consonant. This doesn't fundamentally change the syllable division.
- Regional accents may influence the vowel quality, but the core syllabic structure remains consistent.
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