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Hyphenation ofquatre-vingt-quatre

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

cat-re-vint-qua-tre

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

/katʁ.vɛ̃.tʁə/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

Primary stress falls on the final syllable, 'tre' (/tʁə/).

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

cat/kat/

Open syllable, onset /k/, nucleus /a/, coda /t/.

re/ʁə/

Open syllable, onset /ʁ/, nucleus /ə/.

vint/vɛ̃/

Closed syllable, onset /v/, nucleus /ɛ̃/, coda /̃/.

qua/kwa/

Open syllable, onset /k/, nucleus /a/.

tre/tʁə/

Open syllable, onset /tʁ/, nucleus /ə/

Morphemic Breakdown

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

(prefix)
+
quatre, vingt, quatre(root)
+
(suffix)

Prefix:

Root: quatre, vingt, quatre

Latin origins (quattuor, viginti)

Suffix:

Meanings & Definitions
numeral(grammatical role in sentences)

Eighty-four

Translation: Eighty-four

Examples:

"J'ai quatre-vingt-quatre ans."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

cinq-vingt-cinqcinq-vingt-cinq

Similar numerical structure.

trente-quatretrente-quatre

Similar numerical structure.

soixante-dixsoixante-dix

Similar numerical structure.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximizing Onsets

Syllables are formed to maximize the number of consonants in the onset.

Avoiding Stranded Consonants

Consonants are not left as the sole consonant in a syllable.

Vowel-Initial Syllables

Syllables beginning with a vowel are permissible.

Special Considerations

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

Compound number formation

Reduced pronunciation of 'vingt' in compound numbers

Acceptance of /tʁ/ consonant cluster

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'quatre-vingt-quatre' is divided into five syllables: cat-re-vint-qua-tre. The stress falls on the final syllable. It's a compound numeral derived from Latin roots, and its syllabification follows French rules of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "quatre-vingt-quatre" (French)

1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced approximately as /katʁ.vɛ̃.tʁə/. It represents the number 84.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants, is as follows:

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • quatre: From Old French quatre, from Latin quattuor ("four"). Function: Numerical quantifier.
  • vingt: From Old French vint, from Latin viginti ("twenty"). Function: Numerical quantifier.
  • quatre: (Repeated) From Old French quatre, from Latin quattuor ("four"). Function: Numerical quantifier.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the final syllable, quatre.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /katʁ.vɛ̃.tʁə/

6. Edge Case Review: French syllabification generally avoids consonant clusters at the end of syllables. However, the /tʁ/ cluster is common and accepted. The nasal vowel /ɛ̃/ also influences the syllabic structure.

7. Grammatical Role: This word functions solely as a numeral (adjective). Syllabification does not change based on grammatical role.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Eighty-four.
  • Grammatical Category: Numeral (adjective)
  • Translation: Eighty-four
  • Synonyms: quatre-vingts et quatre
  • Antonyms: (related to quantity) moins, peu
  • Examples: "J'ai quatre-vingt-quatre ans." (I am eighty-four years old.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • cinq-vingt-cinq: /sɛ̃.vɛ̃.sɛ̃k/ - Syllable division: cinq-vingt-cinq. Similar structure with numerical quantifiers.
  • trente-quatre: /tʁɑ̃t.katʁ/ - Syllable division: trente-quatre. Similar structure with numerical quantifiers.
  • soixante-dix: /swa.sɑ̃t.di/ - Syllable division: soixante-dix. Similar structure with numerical quantifiers.

The differences in syllable division arise from the specific consonant and vowel sequences in each word, but the underlying principle of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants remains consistent.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Division Rule Exceptions/Special Cases
cat /kat/ Open syllable, onset /k/, nucleus /a/, coda /t/. Maximizing Onsets. None
re /ʁə/ Open syllable, onset /ʁ/, nucleus /ə/. Vowel-initial syllable. None
vint /vɛ̃/ Closed syllable, onset /v/, nucleus /ɛ̃/, coda /̃/. Nasal vowel creates a closed syllable. Nasal vowel requires special consideration.
qua /kwa/ Open syllable, onset /k/, nucleus /a/. Maximizing Onsets. None
tre /tʁə/ Open syllable, onset /tʁ/, nucleus /ə/. Consonant cluster /tʁ/ is permissible. /tʁ/ cluster is common in French.

Exceptions/Special Cases for the Word as a Whole:

The compound nature of the number (using "quatre" and "vingt") is a special case in French numeration. The pronunciation of "vingt" is reduced when part of a compound number.

Differences in Syllable Division based on Grammatical Role:

As a numeral, the word does not change its form or syllabification based on grammatical role.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some regional variations might slightly alter the pronunciation of the vowels, but the syllable division remains consistent.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/5/2025

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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.