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Hyphenation ofplus-que-parfaite

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

plus-que-par-faite

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

/ply.kə.paʁ.fɛt/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0001

The primary stress falls on the final syllable (/fɛt/), which is typical for French adjectives.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

plus/ply/

Open syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.

que/kə/

Open syllable, vowel preceded by a consonant.

par/paʁ/

Open syllable, vowel preceded by a consonant.

faite/fɛt/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

plus-(prefix)
+
parfaite(root)
+
null(suffix)

Prefix: plus-

Latin origin, intensifier

Root: parfaite

Latin origin, adjective meaning 'perfect'

Suffix: null

The -e is a feminine singular ending, but is part of the root in this case.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

More than perfect; surpassing perfection.

Translation: More than perfect

Examples:

"Une beauté plus-que-parfaite."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

parfaitementpa-r-fai-te-ment

Shares the root 'parfait', similar syllable structure and final syllable stress.

imparfaitim-par-fait

Shares the root 'parfait', similar syllable structure and final syllable stress.

plusieursplus-ieurs

Shares the prefix 'plus', similar syllable structure and final syllable stress.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

Attempt to create syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Avoid leaving consonants without a following vowel.

Vowel after Consonant

Syllables are often formed around vowels, with preceding consonants forming the onset.

Special Considerations

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

The 'que' is a connecting particle and doesn't strictly adhere to syllabification rules.

The final 'e' in 'parfaite' is silent but influences stress.

The French 'r' (/ʁ/) can function as a syllable onset.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The French adjective 'plus-que-parfaite' (meaning 'more than perfect') is divided into four syllables: plus-que-par-faite, with stress on the final syllable. It's composed of the prefix 'plus-', the connective 'que-', and the root 'parfaite' (from Latin). Syllabification follows rules maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "plus-que-parfaite"

1. Pronunciation: The word "plus-que-parfaite" is pronounced approximately as /ply.kə.paʁ.fɛt/.

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

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • plus-: Prefix (Latin plus - "more"). Functions as an intensifier.
  • que-: Connective particle (Old French que - "than"). Connects the comparative element to the adjective.
  • parfaite: Root/Suffix combination (Latin parfaitus - "completed, excellent"). Parfait is the adjective, and -e is the feminine singular ending.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the final syllable: /paʁ.fɛt/. French generally stresses the last syllable of a word or phrase.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /ply.kə.paʁ.fɛt/

6. Edge Case Review: French syllabification generally avoids consonant clusters at the end of syllables. However, /ʁ/ (the French 'r') can often form a syllable onset.

7. Grammatical Role: "Plus-que-parfaite" functions exclusively as an adjective. Its form doesn't change based on grammatical role, so the syllabification remains consistent.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: More than perfect; surpassing perfection.
  • Translation: More than perfect.
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: exceptionnel(le), inégalé(e), sublime
  • Antonyms: imparfait(e), médiocre
  • Examples: "Une beauté plus-que-parfaite." (A more than perfect beauty.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • parfaitement: paʁ.fɛ.tə.mɑ̃ - Syllable division: pa-r-fai-te-ment. Similar structure, final syllable stress.
  • imparfait: ĩ.paʁ.fɛ - Syllable division: im-par-fait. Similar root, stress on the final syllable.
  • plusieurs: ply.sjøʁ - Syllable division: plus-ieurs. Similar prefix, stress on the final syllable.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
plus /ply/ Open syllable, vowel followed by a consonant. Maximizing Onsets None
que /kə/ Open syllable, vowel preceded by a consonant. Vowel after consonant None
par /paʁ/ Open syllable, vowel preceded by a consonant. Maximizing Onsets /ʁ/ can act as an onset.
faite /fɛt/ Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant. Avoiding stranded consonants None

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Maximize Onsets: Attempt to create syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.
  2. Avoid Stranded Consonants: Avoid leaving consonants without a following vowel.
  3. Vowel after Consonant: Syllables are often formed around vowels, with preceding consonants forming the onset.

Special Considerations:

  • The "que" is a connecting particle and doesn't necessarily follow typical syllabification rules.
  • The final "e" in "parfaite" is silent but affects the stress pattern.
  • The French 'r' (/ʁ/) can sometimes form a syllable onset, as seen in "par".

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

There are minimal regional variations in the pronunciation of this word. However, some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in "que" to a schwa /ə/. This wouldn't significantly alter the syllable division.

Short Analysis:

"Plus-que-parfaite" is a French adjective meaning "more than perfect." It is divided into four syllables: plus-que-par-faite, with stress on the final syllable. The word is composed of the prefix "plus-", the connective "que-", and the root/suffix "parfaite" (derived from Latin). Syllabification follows the rules of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants, with the French 'r' acting as a syllable onset.

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

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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.