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Hyphenation ofcontre-indiquai

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

con-tre-in-di-quai

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

/kɔ̃tʁ‿ɛ̃di.kɛ/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

Stress falls on the final syllable, '-quai', which is typical for French.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

con/kɔ̃/

Open syllable with a nasal vowel.

tre/tʁ/

Closed syllable with a consonant cluster.

in/ɛ̃/

Open syllable with a nasal vowel.

di/di/

Open syllable.

quai/kɛ/

Closed, stressed syllable.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

contre-(prefix)
+
indiqu-(root)
+
-ai(suffix)

Prefix: contre-

Latin origin 'contra', meaning 'against'. Functions as an opposition marker.

Root: indiqu-

From 'indiquer' (to indicate), Latin 'indicare'. Provides the core meaning.

Suffix: -ai

Imperfect subjunctive ending of the verb 'indiquer'. Indicates a conditional or hypothetical action.

Meanings & Definitions
verb(grammatical role in sentences)

To be contraindicated; to be a reason not to do something.

Translation: To be contraindicated

Examples:

"Ce traitement est contre-indiquai pour les patients cardiaques."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

contre-attaquecon-tre-a-t ta-que

Shares the 'contre-' prefix and follows similar syllabification rules.

indiquerin-di-quer

Contains the root 'indiqu-' and demonstrates its syllabic structure.

pratiquepra-ti-que

A common French word illustrating basic syllabification principles.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Centered Syllabification

Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are maintained within a syllable unless they are exceptionally complex.

Liaison Rule

Liaison between words affects pronunciation but does not alter the written syllable division.

Special Considerations

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

The compound nature of the word.

The uncommon imperfect subjunctive ending '-ai'.

The potential for liaison between syllables.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'contre-indiquai' is divided into five syllables: con-tre-in-di-quai. It's a verb form meaning 'to be contraindicated', with stress on the final syllable. Syllabification follows standard French rules, prioritizing vowels and allowing consonant clusters.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "contre-indiquai"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "contre-indiquai" is a relatively uncommon French word. It's a compound formed from "contre-", "indiquer" (to indicate), and a modified ending. Pronunciation involves liaison possibilities and vowel elision, making accurate syllabification crucial.

2. Syllable Division:

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

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: contre- (Latin contra - against). Function: Opposition, reversal.
  • Root: indiqu- (from indiquer - to indicate, Latin indicare). Function: Core meaning of the word.
  • Suffix: -ai (from the verb indiquer in the imperfect subjunctive). Function: Verb conjugation, creating a specific tense/mood.

4. Stress Identification:

French generally has stress on the final syllable of a phrase or breath group. In this case, the stress falls on the final syllable, "-quai".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/kɔ̃tʁ‿ɛ̃di.kɛ/

6. Edge Case Review:

The liaison between "contre" and "indiquai" is common and affects the pronunciation. The "e" in "indiquai" is often elided in speech. The final "-ai" is a remnant of a verb form and doesn't follow typical noun/adjective endings.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Contre-indiquai" functions primarily as a verb form (imperfect subjunctive of contre-indiquer). Syllabification remains consistent regardless of its grammatical role within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: To be contraindicated; to be a reason not to do something.
  • Grammatical Category: Verb (imperfect subjunctive)
  • Translation: To be contraindicated
  • Synonyms: déconseillé, défendu
  • Antonyms: conseillé, autorisé
  • Examples: "Ce traitement est contre-indiquai pour les patients cardiaques." (This treatment is contraindicated for heart patients.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • contre-attaque: kɔ̃tʁ‿a.tak - Similar prefix, different root. Syllabification follows the same vowel-centered pattern.
  • indiquer: ɛ̃.di.ke - Root of the word. Demonstrates the syllabification of the root itself.
  • pratique: pʁa.tik - A common French word. Shows how a simple word is divided into syllables.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
con /kɔ̃/ Nasal vowel, open syllable Vowel-centered syllabification None
tre /tʁ/ Consonant cluster, closed syllable Consonant cluster rule (allows /tr/ within a syllable) Liaison with following syllable
in /ɛ̃/ Nasal vowel, open syllable Vowel-centered syllabification None
di /di/ Open syllable Vowel-centered syllabification None
quai /kɛ/ Closed syllable, stressed Final syllable stress Liaison with preceding syllable

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Centered Syllabification: Each syllable contains a vowel sound.
  2. Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are maintained within a syllable unless they are exceptionally complex.
  3. Liaison Rule: Liaison between words can affect pronunciation but doesn't change the written syllable division.

Special Considerations:

  • The compound nature of the word requires careful consideration of morphemic boundaries.
  • The imperfect subjunctive ending "-ai" is less common and requires recognizing its origin.
  • Liaison is a significant factor in pronunciation but doesn't alter the written syllable division.

Short Analysis:

"Contre-indiquai" is syllabified as "con-tre-in-di-quai". It's a verb form derived from "contre-" (against) and "indiquer" (to indicate). Stress falls on the final syllable. Syllabification follows vowel-centered rules, with consideration for consonant clusters and liaison.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/10/2025

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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.