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Hyphenation ofsoixante-dix-huit

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

soix-ante-dix-huit

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

/swa.sɑ̃t di.z‿ɥit/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0001

Stress falls on the last syllable, 'huit', which is typical for French phrases.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

soix/swa/

Open syllable, consonant-vowel structure.

ante/sɑ̃t/

Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-nasal consonant structure.

dix/di/

Open syllable, consonant-vowel structure.

huit/ɥit/

Open syllable, consonant-vowel structure, stressed syllable.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

soixante(prefix)
+
dix(root)
+
huit(suffix)

Prefix: soixante

From Latin *sexaginta* 'sixty', numeral base.

Root: dix

From Latin *decem* 'ten', numeral base.

Suffix: huit

From Latin *octo* 'eight', numeral base.

Meanings & Definitions
adjective(grammatical role in sentences)

Sixty-eight

Translation: Sixty-eight

Examples:

"J'ai soixante-dix-huit ans."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

trente-deuxtren-te-deux

Similar numeral structure with multiple components.

quarante-sixqua-ran-te-six

Similar numeral structure with multiple components and liaison potential.

cinquante-troiscin-quan-te-trois

Similar numeral structure with multiple components and stress on the final syllable.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

French syllables generally prefer to have an initial consonant (onset).

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Consonants are not typically left at the end of a syllable unless part of a cluster.

Vowel-Centric Syllabification

Each vowel generally forms the nucleus of a syllable.

Special Considerations

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

The liaison between 'dix' and 'huit' is a phonetic feature that doesn't affect the syllabic division.

Nasal vowels do not create specific syllabification challenges in this word.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'soixante-dix-huit' is divided into four syllables: soix-ante-dix-huit. It's a cardinal numeral composed of Latin-derived morphemes. Stress falls on the final syllable, 'huit'. Syllabification follows standard French rules of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "soixante-dix-huit"

1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced /swa.sɑ̃t di.z‿ɥit/. The liaison between "dix" and "huit" is common and often obligatory.

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:

  • soixante: Prefix (from Latin sexaginta 'sixty'). Morphological function: numeral base.
  • dix: Root (from Latin decem 'ten'). Morphological function: numeral base.
  • huit: Root (from Latin octo 'eight'). Morphological function: numeral base.

4. Stress Identification: In French, stress typically falls on the last syllable of a phrase or a rhythmic group. In this case, the stress falls on "huit".

5. Phonetic Transcription: /swa.sɑ̃t di.z‿ɥit/

6. Edge Case Review: The liaison between "dix" and "huit" is a key consideration. While not directly affecting syllable division, it influences the phonetic realization. The nasal vowel /ɑ̃/ in "soixante" can sometimes be reduced in rapid speech.

7. Grammatical Role: "Soixante-dix-huit" functions solely as a cardinal numeral (adjective). Syllabification remains consistent regardless of its grammatical function within a larger sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: Sixty-eight.
  • Grammatical Category: Cardinal numeral (adjective).
  • Synonyms: None (it's a specific number).
  • Antonyms: None (it's a specific number).
  • Examples: "J'ai soixante-dix-huit ans." (I am sixty-eight years old.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • trente-deux: /tʁɑ̃t də/ - Syllable division: tren-te-deux. Similar structure with numeral components. Stress on "deux".
  • quarante-six: /ka.ʁɑ̃t si.s/ - Syllable division: qua-ran-te-six. Similar structure, stress on "six". Liaison is also common.
  • cinquante-trois: /sɛ̃.kɑ̃t tʁwa/ - Syllable division: cin-quan-te-trois. Similar structure, stress on "trois".

Syllable Breakdown Details:

  • soix-: /swa/ - Open syllable. Rule: Consonant-vowel structure. No exceptions.
  • -ante: /sɑ̃t/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant-vowel-nasal consonant. Potential exception: nasal vowels can sometimes influence syllabification, but here it follows the standard pattern.
  • dix: /di/ - Open syllable. Rule: Consonant-vowel structure. No exceptions.
  • huit: /ɥit/ - Open syllable. Rule: Consonant-vowel structure. No exceptions.

Exceptions/Special Cases:

  • The liaison between "dix" and "huit" is a phonetic phenomenon that doesn't alter the underlying syllabic structure.
  • The nasal vowel /ɑ̃/ in "soixante" doesn't create any specific syllabification challenges.

Division Rules Applied:

  • Maximize Onsets: French favors syllables with onsets (initial consonants).
  • Avoid Stranded Consonants: Consonants are generally not left at the end of a syllable unless they are part of a consonant cluster.
  • Vowel-Centric Syllabification: Each vowel generally forms the nucleus of a syllable.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/6/2025

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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.