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Hyphenation ofcontre-plaquasses

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

con-tre-pla-ques-ses

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

/kɔ̃tʁə.plak.as/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

Stress falls on the final syllable '-sses', which is typical for French words. The stress is primary (1).

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

con/kɔ̃/

Open syllable, nasal vowel. Contains the prefix 'contre'.

tre/tʁə/

Open syllable, schwa vowel. Part of the prefix 'contre'.

pla/plak/

Open syllable, contains the root 'plaque'.

ques/kə/

Open syllable, part of the suffix '-asses'.

ses/s/

Closed syllable, contains the final part of the suffix '-asses'. Stressed syllable.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

contre-(prefix)
+
plaque(root)
+
-asses(suffix)

Prefix: contre-

From Latin 'contra', meaning 'against'. Prepositional prefix.

Root: plaque

From Latin 'placa', meaning 'plate'. Noun root.

Suffix: -asses

French colloquial suffix indicating plurality and a diminutive/informal quality. Combination of '-s' and '-asse'.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

Small, cheap, or makeshift plates; often refers to plates used for informal meals or by children.

Translation: Small plates, cheap plates

Examples:

"Ils ont mangé des gâteaux sur des contre-plaquasses."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

contre-plaquescon-tre-pla-ques

Shares the 'contre-' prefix and 'plaque' root. Syllabification is similar.

plaquistespla-quistes

Shares the 'plaque' root. Syllabification differs due to the suffix.

contre-mesurescon-tre-me-su-res

Shares the 'contre-' prefix. Syllabification differs significantly due to the different root and suffix.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-centric Syllabification

Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. Each vowel sound generally constitutes a syllable.

Consonant Cluster Handling

Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable unless they are complex or interrupt the natural flow of vowel sounds.

Final Syllable Stress

French generally stresses the final syllable of a word or phrase.

Special Considerations

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

The '-asses' suffix is colloquial and somewhat archaic.

Liaison between 'contre' and 'plaquasses' is possible but not obligatory.

Nasal vowel pronunciation can vary slightly regionally.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'contre-plaquasses' is divided into five syllables: con-tre-pla-ques-ses. It consists of the prefix 'contre-', the root 'plaque', and the colloquial suffix '-asses'. Stress falls on the final syllable '-sses'. Syllabification follows standard French rules prioritizing vowel sounds and avoiding unnecessary consonant breaks.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "contre-plaquasses"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "contre-plaquasses" is a somewhat archaic French noun. It's a compound word formed from "contre-", "plaque", and a suffix indicating plurality and a somewhat diminutive or informal quality. Pronunciation involves nasal vowels and liaison possibilities.

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 (detailed in the JSON output).

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: contre- (Latin contra - against, opposite). Function: prepositional prefix indicating opposition.
  • Root: plaque (Latin placa - plate, slab). Function: Noun root referring to a flat surface.
  • Suffix: -asses (French colloquial suffix). Function: Forms a plural, often with a diminutive or informal connotation. It's a combination of the plural -s and a colloquial suffix -asse.

4. Stress Identification:

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

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/kɔ̃tʁə.plak.as/

6. Edge Case Review:

The "-sses" ending is somewhat unusual and colloquial. The liaison between "contre" and "plaquasses" is possible but not obligatory.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word is primarily a noun. Syllabification doesn't significantly shift based on grammatical role, as stress remains on the final syllable.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Small, cheap, or makeshift plates; often refers to plates used for informal meals or by children.
  • Translation: Small plates, cheap plates.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun (feminine plural)
  • Synonyms: assiettes de fortune, petites assiettes
  • Antonyms: assiettes en porcelaine (porcelain plates)
  • Examples: "Ils ont mangé des gâteaux sur des contre-plaquasses." (They ate cake on small plates.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "contre-plaques": /kɔ̃tʁə.plak/ - Similar structure, lacking the colloquial suffix. Syllabification is identical up to the root.
  • "plaquistes": /plak.ist/ - Shares the root "plaque". Syllabification differs due to the different suffix.
  • "contre-mesures": /kɔ̃tʁə.me.zyʁ/ - Shares the "contre-" prefix. Syllabification differs significantly due to the different root and suffix.

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Pronunciation of nasal vowels can vary slightly regionally. The degree of liaison can also differ. However, the core syllabification remains consistent.

11. Syllable Division Rules:

  • Rule 1: Syllables are generally formed around vowel sounds.
  • Rule 2: Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable unless they are complex or interrupt the natural flow of vowel sounds.
  • Rule 3: French generally stresses the final syllable.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/7/2025

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What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the process of splitting words into syllables and inserting hyphens between them to facilitate the reading of a text. It is also used to divide words when the word cannot fit on a line.

This technique is particularly helpful in fully justified texts, where it aids in creating a uniform edge along both sides of a paragraph. Hyphenation rules vary among languages and even among different publications within the same language. It's a critical component in typesetting, significantly influencing the aesthetics and readability of printed and digital media. For instance, in compound adjectives like 'long-term solution', hyphens clarify relationships between words, preventing misinterpretation. Moreover, hyphenation can alter meanings: 'recreation' differs from 're-creation'.

With the advent of digital text, hyphenation algorithms have become more sophisticated, though still imperfect, sometimes requiring manual adjustment to ensure accuracy and coherence in text layout. Understanding and correctly applying hyphenation rules is therefore not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also a key aspect of effective visual communication.