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Hyphenation ofcontre-plaquons

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

con-tre-pla-quons

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

/kɔ̃tʁəplakɔ̃/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0001

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

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/tʁə/

CVC syllable with a schwa.

pla/plak/

Syllable with a consonant cluster onset.

quons/kɔ̃/

Syllable with a nasal vowel and consonant cluster.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

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

Prefix: contre-

From Latin 'contra', meaning 'against'. Indicates opposition.

Root: plaque-

From Latin 'placa', meaning 'plate, flat surface'. Verb stem.

Suffix: -ons

1st person plural present indicative verb ending. From Latin '-mus'.

Meanings & Definitions
verb(grammatical role in sentences)

To veneer, to cover with a thin layer (usually wood).

Translation: To veneer, to face (with a different material).

Examples:

"Nous contre-plaquons le meuble avec du chêne."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

contre-plaquercon-tre-pla-quer

Shares the same prefix and root, exhibiting similar syllabic structure.

contre-attaquecon-tre-at-ta-que

Shares the same prefix, demonstrating consistent syllabification of 'contre-'.

plaquonspla-quons

Shares the same root and suffix, highlighting the consistent syllabification of '-quons'.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

Prioritize creating syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.

Vowel Clusters

Vowel clusters are generally broken up to create separate syllables.

Final Syllable Stress

French typically stresses the final syllable of a phrase.

Special Considerations

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

Nasal vowels require careful consideration in syllable structure.

The 'r' sound is a characteristic feature of French pronunciation and affects syllabification.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'contre-plaquons' is divided into four syllables: con-tre-pla-quons. It consists of the prefix 'contre-', the root 'plaque-', and the suffix '-ons'. Stress falls on the final syllable. Syllabification follows the principles of maximizing onsets and respecting vowel clusters, typical of French phonology.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "contre-plaquons"

1. Pronunciation: The word "contre-plaquons" is pronounced approximately as /kɔ̃tʁəplakɔ̃/. The nasal vowels and the 'r' sound are key features of French pronunciation.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets and respecting vowel clusters, is as follows (using only the original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: contre- (from Old French contre, ultimately from Latin contra meaning 'against'). Function: preposition/prefix indicating opposition.
  • Root: plaque- (from Old French plaque, ultimately from Latin placa meaning 'plate, flat surface'). Function: verb stem.
  • Suffix: -ons (from Old French -ons, ultimately from Latin -mus). Function: 1st person plural present indicative verb ending.

4. Stress Identification: In French, stress typically falls on the last syllable of a phrase or breath group. In this case, the last syllable, "-ons", receives the primary stress.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /kɔ̃tʁəplakɔ̃/

6. Edge Case Review: French syllabification is generally straightforward, but nasal vowels can sometimes pose challenges. The rule of maximizing onsets is crucial here.

7. Grammatical Role: "Contre-plaquons" is the first-person plural present indicative of the verb "contre-plaquer" (to veneer, to cover with a thin layer). The syllabification remains consistent regardless of the verb's tense or mood.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: To veneer, to cover with a thin layer (usually wood).
  • Translation: To veneer, to face (with a different material).
  • Grammatical Category: Verb (1st person plural present indicative)
  • Synonyms: plaquer, recouvrir, revêtir
  • Antonyms: décoller, enlever
  • Examples:
    • "Nous contre-plaquons le meuble avec du chêne." (We are veneering the furniture with oak.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "contre-plaquer": con-tre-pla-quer. Similar structure, stress on the final syllable.
  • "contre-attaque": con-tre-at-ta-que. Similar prefix, different root, stress on the final syllable.
  • "plaquons": pla-quons. A shorter form, but the "-ons" ending maintains the final syllable stress.

10. Syllable Breakdown with Rules and Exceptions:

Syllable IPA Transcription Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
con- /kɔ̃/ Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant. Nasal vowel requires careful consideration.
tre /tʁə/ Consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) structure. The 'r' sound is a key feature of French phonology.
pla- /plak/ Consonant cluster followed by a vowel. Maximizing onset. The 'pl' cluster is a common onset in French.
-quons /kɔ̃/ Vowel followed by consonant cluster. Maximizing onset. Nasal vowel at the end of the syllable.

11. Division Rules:

  • Maximize Onsets: Prioritize creating syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.
  • Vowel Clusters: Vowel clusters are generally broken up to create separate syllables.
  • Final Syllable Stress: French typically stresses the final syllable of a phrase.

12. Special Considerations: The nasal vowels /ɔ̃/ require attention as they influence syllable structure. The 'r' sound is also a characteristic feature of French pronunciation and affects syllabification.

13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations: While the standard pronunciation is /kɔ̃tʁəplakɔ̃/, some regional variations might exist in the articulation of the 'r' sound. However, these variations do not significantly alter the syllable division.

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

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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.