HyphenateIt

Hyphenation ofexceptionnelles

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

ex-cep-tion-nel-les

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

/ɛk.sɛp.sjɔ̃.nɛl.lɛs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

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

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

ex/ɛk/

Open syllable, consonant-vowel

cep/sɛp/

Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant

tion/sjɔ̃/

Closed syllable, consonant cluster-nasal vowel

nel/nɛl/

Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant

les/lɛs/

Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant, stressed

Morphemic Breakdown

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

ex-(prefix)
+
cept-(root)
+
-les(suffix)

Prefix: ex-

Latin origin, intensifier

Root: cept-

Latin *capere* 'to take, hold'

Suffix: -les

French, feminine plural marker

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Extraordinary, remarkable, outstanding

Translation: Exceptional

Examples:

"Les performances des athlètes étaient exceptionnelles."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

exceptionnelex-cep-tion-nel

Shares the same root and most suffixes, differing only in gender/number marking.

communicationcom-mu-ni-ca-tion

Similar complex suffix structure and vowel clusters.

organisationor-ga-ni-sa-tion

Similar complex suffix structure, though vowel sounds differ.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Consonant-Vowel (CV)

Syllables are generally formed around vowel sounds, with consonants preceding or following them.

Nasal Vowel Attachment

Nasal vowels are always attached to the preceding consonant.

Final Syllable Stress

Stress typically falls on the final syllable of a French word.

Special Considerations

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

The nasal vowel /ɔ̃/ requires adherence to the rule of attaching it to the preceding consonant.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'exceptionnelles' is divided into five syllables: ex-cep-tion-nel-les. It's a feminine plural adjective derived from Latin roots, with stress on the final syllable. Syllabification follows standard French CV rules and the rule for nasal vowel attachment.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "exceptionnelles" (French)

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "exceptionnelles" is the feminine plural form of the adjective "exceptionnel." Its pronunciation involves a complex interplay of liaison, elision, and vowel harmony typical of French.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

ex-cep-tion-nel-les

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: ex- (Latin origin, meaning "out of" or "from"). Function: Intensifier, often indicating a deviation from the norm.
  • Root: cept- (from Latin capere "to take, hold"). Function: Core meaning related to receiving or grasping.
  • Suffix: -tion- (Latin origin, nominalizing suffix). Function: Transforms the verb root into a noun or adjective.
  • Suffix: -nel- (French suffix, adjectival). Function: Forms adjectives.
  • Suffix: -les- (French suffix, feminine plural marker). Function: Indicates feminine gender and plural number.

4. Stress Identification:

In French, stress typically falls on the last syllable of a word or phrase. In this case, the stress falls on "-les".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ɛk.sɛp.sjɔ̃.nɛl.lɛs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The nasal vowel /ɔ̃/ in "exception" presents a common challenge in French syllabification. The rule is to attach the nasal vowel to the preceding consonant.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Exceptionnelles" functions primarily as an adjective. As an adjective, the stress pattern remains consistent. If used as a noun (though less common), the stress would still fall on the final syllable.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Extraordinary, remarkable, outstanding.
  • Translation: Exceptional (English)
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective (feminine plural)
  • Synonyms: remarquables, extraordinaires, singulières
  • Antonyms: ordinaires, banales, courantes
  • Examples: "Les performances des athlètes étaient exceptionnelles." (The athletes' performances were exceptional.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "exceptionnel" (masculine singular): ex-cep-tion-nel. The syllabification is nearly identical, differing only in the final suffix.
  • "communication": com-mu-ni-ca-tion. Similar in having a vowel cluster and a nasal vowel, but the stress is on the penultimate syllable.
  • "organisation": or-ga-ni-sa-tion. Similar in having a complex suffix structure, but the vowel sounds differ.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
ex /ɛk/ Open syllable, consonant-vowel Syllable starts with a consonant, followed by a vowel. None
cep /sɛp/ Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant Consonant cluster followed by a vowel, then a consonant. None
tion /sjɔ̃/ Closed syllable, consonant cluster-nasal vowel Nasal vowel attached to preceding consonant. Nasal vowel requires special attention.
nel /nɛl/ Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant Standard consonant-vowel-consonant structure. None
les /lɛs/ Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant Final syllable, receives stress. None

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Consonant-Vowel (CV) Rule: Syllables are generally formed around vowel sounds, with consonants preceding or following them.
  2. Nasal Vowel Rule: Nasal vowels are always attached to the preceding consonant.
  3. Final Syllable Stress Rule: Stress typically falls on the final syllable of a French word.

Special Considerations:

The presence of the nasal vowel /ɔ̃/ requires careful consideration. The rule of attaching it to the preceding consonant is crucial for accurate syllabification.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the standard pronunciation is /ɛk.sɛp.sjɔ̃.nɛl.lɛs/, some regional variations might exist in vowel quality or liaison. However, these variations generally do not affect the core syllabification.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/9/2025

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.