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Hyphenation offlessenspoelmachine

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

fles-sens-spoel-ma-chi-ne

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

/ˈflɛsə(n)ˌspoːl.məˈʃinə/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

001001

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('spoel'). Dutch stress is generally on the penultimate syllable, but compound words often have stress on an earlier syllable, particularly the root.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

fles/flɛs/

Open syllable, initial syllable.

sens/sɛns/

Closed syllable, contains a consonant cluster.

spoel/spoːl/

Open syllable, stressed syllable.

ma/ma/

Open syllable, unstressed.

chi/ʃi/

Closed syllable, contains a consonant cluster.

ne/nə/

Closed syllable, final syllable, potentially schwa-reduced.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

fles(prefix)
+
spoel(root)
+
machine(suffix)

Prefix: fles

Germanic origin, meaning 'bottle'.

Root: spoel

Germanic origin, meaning 'to rinse/wash'.

Suffix: machine

French origin, denoting a device.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A machine used for washing bottles or dishes.

Translation: Dishwashing machine, bottle washing machine

Examples:

"De flessenspoelmachine staat in de keuken."

"We hebben een nieuwe flessenspoelmachine gekocht."

Synonyms: afwasmachine
Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

wasmachinewas-ma-chi-ne

Similar syllable structure and suffix.

stofzuigerstof-zu-i-ger

Compound noun with a similar structure.

koelkastkoel-kast

Simple compound noun, illustrating a basic syllable division pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Ending Syllables

Syllables ending in vowels are generally separated.

Consonant Cluster Preservation

Consonant clusters that form a single phonological unit are kept together.

Avoidance of Diphthong Splitting

Diphthongs are not split across syllable boundaries.

Special Considerations

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

Potential elision of 'n' in 'flesenspoel' in some dialects.

Schwa reduction in unstressed syllables.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'flessenspoelmachine' is a compound noun divided into six syllables: fles-sens-spoel-ma-chi-ne. The primary stress falls on 'spoel'. Syllabification follows Dutch rules prioritizing vowel separation and consonant cluster preservation. Morphemically, it consists of the prefix 'fles-', root 'spoel-', and suffix '-machine'.

Detailed Analysis:

Dutch Word Analysis: flessenspoelmachine

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "flessenspoelmachine" (dishwashing machine) is a compound noun in Dutch. Its pronunciation involves a sequence of consonant clusters, typical of Dutch morphology. The word is pronounced with relatively even stress, though the final syllable receives a slight emphasis.

2. Syllable Division:

Following Dutch syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid splitting diphthongs or consonant clusters where possible, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: fles- (bottle) - Germanic origin, denotes the type of items washed.
  • Root: spoel- (rinse/wash) - Germanic origin, the core action of the machine.
  • Suffix: -machine (machine) - French origin (machine), denotes the device performing the action.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable, spoel. Dutch stress is generally on the penultimate syllable, but compound words often have stress on an earlier syllable, particularly the root.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˈflɛsə(n)ˌspoːl.məˈʃinə/

6. Edge Case Review:

Dutch allows for schwa reduction, meaning unstressed vowels can become schwas (/ə/). The 'e' in 'fles' and 'machine' can be reduced in faster speech. The 'n' in 'flesenspoel' can be elided in some dialects.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Flessenspoelmachine" is primarily a noun. Its syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical function within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: A machine used for washing bottles. More broadly, a dishwasher.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun (de flessenspoelmachine)
  • Translation: Dishwashing machine, bottle washing machine
  • Synonyms: afwasmachine (dishwasher)
  • Antonyms: (None directly applicable)
  • Examples:
    • "De flessenspoelmachine staat in de keuken." (The dishwashing machine is in the kitchen.)
    • "We hebben een nieuwe flessenspoelmachine gekocht." (We bought a new dishwashing machine.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • wasmachine (washing machine): wa-schin-mə - Similar syllable structure, stress on the second syllable.
  • stofzuiger (vacuum cleaner): stof-zu-i-gər - Different syllable structure due to the 'zu' diphthong.
  • koelkast (refrigerator): koel-kast - Simpler syllable structure, two syllables.

The differences in syllable structure are due to the varying consonant clusters and vowel sequences within each word. "Flessenspoelmachine" has a more complex structure due to the compound nature and the presence of the 'ns' cluster.

Syllable Breakdown Details:

  • fles-: Open syllable, ending in a vowel. Rule: Vowel-ending syllables are generally separated.
  • sens-: Closed syllable, ending in a consonant. Rule: Consonant clusters are kept together if they form a single phonological unit.
  • spoel-: Open syllable, ending in a vowel. Rule: Vowel-ending syllables are generally separated.
  • ma-: Open syllable, ending in a vowel. Rule: Vowel-ending syllables are generally separated.
  • chi-: Closed syllable, ending in a consonant. Rule: Consonant clusters are kept together if they form a single phonological unit.
  • ne: Closed syllable, ending in a consonant. Rule: Consonant-ending syllables are generally separated.

Exceptions & Special Cases:

  • The 'n' in 'flesenspoel' can be elided in some dialects, potentially affecting the syllable boundary.
  • Schwa reduction can occur in unstressed syllables.

Division Rules:

  • Vowel-Ending Syllables: Syllables ending in vowels are generally separated.
  • Consonant Cluster Preservation: Consonant clusters that form a single phonological unit are kept together.
  • Avoidance of Diphthong Splitting: Diphthongs are not split across syllable boundaries.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/11/2025

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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.