HyphenateIt

Hyphenation ofcontre-attaquerez

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

con-tre-at-ta-quez

Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)

/kɔ̃tʁə.ta.kə.ʁe/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

Stress falls on the final syllable ('quez'), as is typical in French.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound

con/kɔ̃/

Open syllable, vowel sound initiates the syllable.

tre/tʁə/

Closed syllable, vowel sound follows a consonant.

at/a/

Open syllable, vowel sound initiates the syllable.

ta/ta/

Open syllable, vowel sound initiates the syllable.

quez/ke/

Closed syllable, vowel sound followed by a consonant cluster.

Morphemic Breakdown

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)

contre(prefix)
+
attaquer(root)
+
-erez(suffix)

Prefix: contre

Old French, from Latin *contra* - against; indicates opposition.

Root: attaquer

Old French, from *a-* (to) + *taquer* (to tap, attack); core meaning of attack.

Suffix: -erez

Future tense ending, derived from Latin *-ēre*; indicates future tense, second person singular.

Meanings & Definitions
verb(grammatical role in sentences)

To counterattack; to retaliate.

Translation: You will counterattack.

Examples:

"Ils ont attaqué, mais vous les contre-attaquerez avec force."

Synonyms: riposter, répliquer
Antonyms: céder, capituler
Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

comparercom-pa-rer

Similar structure with a vowel-initial syllable following a consonant cluster.

attaquerat-ta-quer

Demonstrates the typical French pattern of dividing around vowel sounds.

découperdé-cou-per

Shows how consonant clusters are often maintained within a syllable unless they are easily separable.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Initial Syllable Rule

Each vowel sound generally begins a new syllable.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are maintained within a syllable unless they are easily pronounceable as separate syllables.

Final Syllable Rule

The final syllable often includes any remaining consonants.

Special Considerations

Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure

The pronunciation of the 'r' sound can vary regionally.

Liaison between 'contre' and 'attaquerez' can occur in connected speech.

The compound verb structure requires careful consideration of the root's internal syllabification.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'contre-attaquerez' is divided into five syllables: con-tre-at-ta-quez. It consists of the prefix 'contre-', the root 'attaquer', and the future tense suffix '-erez'. Stress falls on the final syllable. Syllabification follows the rules of vowel-initial syllables and consonant cluster maintenance.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "contre-attaquerez"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "contre-attaquerez" is a conjugated form of the verb "contre-attaquer" (to counterattack) in the future tense, second person singular. It's a complex word with a prefix, a compound verb root, and a future tense ending. Pronunciation involves liaison possibilities and vowel elision depending on context.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid breaking consonant clusters unless they are pronounceable as separate syllables, the division is as follows (using only the original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: contre- (Old French, from Latin contra - against). Function: Opposition, reversal.
  • Root: attaquer (Old French, from a- (to) + taquer (to tap, attack). Function: Core meaning of attack.
  • Suffix: -erez (Future tense ending, derived from Latin -ēre). Function: Indicates future tense, second person singular.

4. Stress Identification:

In French, stress generally falls on the last syllable of a phrase or breath group. In this case, the final syllable is stressed.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/kɔ̃tʁə.ta.kə.ʁe/

6. Edge Case Review:

The "r" sound in French is often a uvular fricative, and its pronunciation can influence the surrounding vowels. Liaison is possible between "contre" and "attaquerez" in connected speech, potentially blurring the syllable boundary.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word is exclusively a verb form. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of its function within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: To counterattack; to retaliate.
  • Grammatical Category: Verb (future tense, second person singular)
  • Translation: You will counterattack.
  • Synonyms: riposter, répliquer
  • Antonyms: céder, capituler
  • Examples: "Ils ont attaqué, mais vous les contre-attaquerez avec force." (They attacked, but you will counterattack with force.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • comparer: /kɔ̃.pa.ʁe/ - Syllable division: com-pa-rer. Similar structure with a vowel-initial syllable following a consonant cluster.
  • attaquer: /a.ta.ke/ - Syllable division: at-ta-quer. Demonstrates the typical French pattern of dividing around vowel sounds.
  • découper: /de.ku.pe/ - Syllable division: dé-cou-per. Shows how consonant clusters are often maintained within a syllable unless they are easily separable.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

  • con-tre: /kɔ̃tʁ/ - Open syllable, ending in a vowel sound. Rule: Vowel-initial syllable following a consonant.
  • at-ta-quez: /ta.kə.ʁe/ - Three syllables. "at" is an open syllable, "ta" is an open syllable, and "quez" is a closed syllable. Rule: Vowel-initial syllables are separated. Consonant clusters are maintained unless they are easily separable.
  • re: /ʁe/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant-vowel combination forms a syllable.

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Initial Syllable Rule: Each vowel sound generally begins a new syllable.
  2. Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are maintained within a syllable unless they are easily pronounceable as separate syllables.
  3. Final Syllable Rule: The final syllable often includes any remaining consonants.

Special Considerations:

  • The pronunciation of the "r" sound can vary regionally.
  • Liaison between "contre" and "attaquerez" can occur in connected speech, potentially affecting the perceived syllable boundaries.
  • The compound verb structure requires careful consideration of the root's internal syllabification.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the standard pronunciation is /kɔ̃tʁə.ta.kə.ʁe/, some regional variations might exist in the pronunciation of the "r" sound or the vowel qualities. These variations would not significantly alter the syllable division.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/7/2025

The hottest word splits in French

See what terms are trending and getting hyphenated by users right now.

What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the use of hyphens to join words or parts of words. It plays a crucial role in writing, ensuring clarity and readability.

In compound terms like 'check-in', the hyphen clarifies relationships between words. It also assists in breaking words at line ends, preserving flow and understanding, such as in 'tele-communication'. Hyphenation rules vary; some words lose their hyphens with common usage (e.g., 'email' from 'e-mail'). It's an evolving aspect of language, with guidelines differing across style manuals. Understanding hyphenation improves writing quality, making it an indispensable tool in effective communication.