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Hyphenation ofsemi-perméable

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

se-mi-per-mé-a-ble

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

/semi pɛʁ.me.abl/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

001000

Primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable ('pér').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

se/sə/

Open syllable, vowel onset.

mi/mi/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

per/pɛʁ/

Open syllable, stressed syllable.

/me/

Open syllable, vowel onset.

a/a/

Open syllable, vowel onset.

ble/bl/

Closed syllable, consonant cluster in coda.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

semi-(prefix)
+
permé-(root)
+
-able(suffix)

Prefix: semi-

Latin origin, meaning 'half' or 'partly', degree modifier.

Root: permé-

Latin origin (*permeare* - to penetrate), core meaning of permeability.

Suffix: -able

Latin origin (*-abilis*), French *-able*, adjective formation.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Allowing passage of some, but not all, substances.

Translation: Semi-permeable

Examples:

"Une membrane semi-perméable."

"Les parois cellulaires sont semi-perméables."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

Impossibleim-pos-si-ble

Similar structure with a prefix and suffix, stress on the penultimate syllable.

Insolublein-so-lu-ble

Similar structure with a prefix and suffix, stress on the penultimate syllable.

Imperméableim-pér-mé-a-ble

Shares the root *permé-* and a prefix, stress on the penultimate syllable.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

Prioritize creating syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Consonants should generally be attached to the following vowel.

Penultimate Stress

Stress falls on the second-to-last syllable in words ending in a vowel or a silent 'e'.

Special Considerations

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

The silent 'e' at the end of the word doesn't affect the syllabification, but influences stress.

The 'bl' cluster is permissible in the coda.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'semi-perméable' is divided into six syllables: se-mi-per-mé-a-ble. It's an adjective derived from Latin roots, with stress on the penultimate syllable. Syllabification follows French rules of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "semi-perméable"

1. Pronunciation: The word "semi-perméable" is pronounced /semi pɛʁmeabl/. The 'e' at the end is silent.

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:

  • Prefix: semi- (Latin, meaning "half" or "partly"). Morphological function: degree modifier.
  • Root: permé- (Latin permeare - to penetrate, pass through). Morphological function: core meaning of permeability.
  • Suffix: -able (Latin -abilis, French -able). Morphological function: adjective formation, indicating capability or susceptibility.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: pér.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /semi pɛʁ.me.abl/

6. Edge Case Review: French syllable structure generally avoids consonant clusters at the end of syllables. The 'bl' cluster in the final syllable is permissible, but could potentially be analyzed as a closed syllable with a complex coda.

7. Grammatical Role: "Semi-perméable" functions as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Allowing passage of some, but not all, substances.
  • Translation: Semi-permeable (English)
  • Grammatical Category: Adjective
  • Synonyms: partiellement perméable, filtrant (depending on context)
  • Antonyms: imperméable (impermeable)
  • Examples:
    • "Une membrane semi-perméable." (A semi-permeable membrane.)
    • "Les parois cellulaires sont semi-perméables." (Cell walls are semi-permeable.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Impossible: im-pos-si-ble (4 syllables). Similar structure with a prefix and suffix. Stress on the penultimate syllable.
  • Insoluble: in-so-lu-ble (4 syllables). Similar structure with a prefix and suffix. Stress on the penultimate syllable.
  • Imperméable: im-pér-mé-a-ble (5 syllables). Shares the root permé- and a prefix. Stress on the penultimate syllable. The addition of the extra syllable 'a' changes the syllable count.

10. Syllable Analysis Breakdown:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
se- /sə/ Open syllable Maximizing onsets, vowel onset None
mi /mi/ Closed syllable Vowel followed by consonant None
per- /pɛʁ/ Open syllable, stressed Maximizing onsets, stress on penultimate syllable None
mé- /me/ Open syllable Vowel onset None
a- /a/ Open syllable Vowel onset None
ble /bl/ Closed syllable, consonant cluster Consonant cluster permissible in coda Potential analysis as a complex coda

11. Division Rules Applied:

  • Maximize Onsets: Prioritize creating syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.
  • Avoid Stranded Consonants: Consonants should generally be attached to the following vowel.
  • Penultimate Stress: Stress falls on the second-to-last syllable in words ending in a vowel or a silent 'e'.

12. Special Considerations: The silent 'e' at the end of the word doesn't affect the syllabification, but it does influence the stress pattern. The 'bl' cluster is a common occurrence in French and doesn't require syllable splitting.

13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations: While the pronunciation is fairly standard, some regional variations might slightly alter the vowel quality, but not the syllabification.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/12/2025

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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.