HyphenateIt

Hyphenation ofhandelingsbekwaamheid

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

han-del-ings-be-kw-aam-heid

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

/ɦɑn.də.lɪŋs.bə.kwaːm.ɦɛit/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0001001

Primary stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable 'kw' in 'bekwaam'.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

han/ɦɑn/

Open syllable, containing the root's initial syllable.

del/də/

Open syllable, part of the root.

ings/ɪŋs/

Closed syllable, containing the nominalizing suffix.

be/bə/

Open syllable, containing the prefix.

kw/kw/

Closed syllable, part of the root 'bekwaam'.

aam/aːm/

Closed syllable, part of the root 'bekwaam'.

heid/ɦɛit/

Closed syllable, containing the abstract noun suffix.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

be-(prefix)
+
handel-bekwaam(root)
+
-ingsheid(suffix)

Prefix: be-

Intensifying/enabling prefix, Germanic origin.

Root: handel-bekwaam

Combination of 'handelen' (to act) and 'bekwaam' (capable), Germanic origin.

Suffix: -ingsheid

Combination of nominalizing suffix '-ings' and abstract noun suffix '-heid', Germanic origin.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The capacity or ability to perform actions effectively and competently.

Translation: Ability to act, competence, capability

Examples:

"Zijn handelingsbekwaamheid was essentieel voor de operatie."

"De cursus is bedoeld om de handelingsbekwaamheid van de deelnemers te verbeteren."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

verantwoordelijkheidver-an-t-woor-de-lijk-heid

Complex noun with multiple suffixes and a similar stress pattern.

levensverwachtingle-vens-ver-wach-ting

Compound word with multiple syllables, demonstrating typical Dutch word formation.

arbeidsongeschiktheidar-beids-on-ge-schikt-heid

Complex noun with multiple morphemes and a similar stress pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel Peak Rule

Each syllable contains a vowel sound.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are maintained within a syllable unless easily separable.

Avoid Single Initial Consonant Rule

Avoid starting a syllable with a single consonant if it can be combined with a preceding vowel.

Special Considerations

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

The 'ng' cluster is treated as a single unit in the syllable 'ings'.

Dutch syllabification generally avoids leaving a single consonant at the beginning of a syllable.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'handelingsbekwaamheid' is a complex Dutch noun meaning 'ability to act'. It is divided into seven syllables: han-del-ings-be-kw-aam-heid, with primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable. The word is formed from multiple morphemes, including a prefix, root, and suffixes, all of Germanic origin. Syllabification follows standard Dutch rules prioritizing vowel sounds and avoiding single initial consonants.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "handelingsbekwaamheid" (Dutch)

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "handelingsbekwaamheid" is a complex Dutch noun meaning "ability to act" or "competence." It's a compound word, built from several morphemes. Pronunciation involves a mix of vowel qualities and consonant clusters typical of Dutch.

2. Syllable Division:

Following Dutch syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid splitting diphthongs or consonant clusters where possible, the word is divided as follows (see JSON output for the orthographic representation).

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • handel-: Root, derived from the verb "handelen" (to act, to handle). Germanic origin.
  • -ings-: Suffix, nominalizing suffix, forming a noun from a verb. Germanic origin.
  • be-: Prefix, intensifying or enabling prefix. Germanic origin.
  • -kw-: Part of the root "bekwaam" (capable, competent). Germanic origin.
  • -aam-: Part of the root "bekwaam" (capable, competent). Germanic origin.
  • -heid: Suffix, abstract noun suffix, indicating a state or quality. Germanic origin.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable: "be-kwaam-heid".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ɦɑn.də.lɪŋs.bə.kwaːm.ɦɛit/

6. Edge Case Review:

Dutch syllabification generally avoids leaving a single consonant at the beginning of a syllable. This is observed in the division "lings-be-". The "ng" cluster is treated as a single unit.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word functions solely as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The capacity or ability to perform actions effectively and competently.
  • Translation: Ability to act, competence, capability.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: vaardigheid, competentie, bekwaamheid
  • Antonyms: onbekwaamheid, incompetentie
  • Examples:
    • "Zijn handelingsbekwaamheid was essentieel voor de operatie." (His ability to act was essential for the operation.)
    • "De cursus is bedoeld om de handelingsbekwaamheid van de deelnemers te verbeteren." (The course is intended to improve the competence of the participants.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • verantwoordelijkheid (responsibility): ver-an-t-woor-de-lijk-heid. Similar structure with multiple suffixes. Stress pattern is also on the antepenultimate syllable.
  • levensverwachting (life expectancy): le-vens-ver-wach-ting. Shows a similar pattern of compound words with multiple syllables.
  • arbeidsongeschiktheid (disability): ar-beids-on-ge-schikt-heid. Again, a complex noun with multiple morphemes and a similar stress pattern.

The differences in syllable division arise from the specific consonant and vowel clusters within each word. Dutch syllabification prioritizes maintaining vowel-consonant sequences where possible.

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation exist in Dutch, but they do not significantly alter the syllable division. Some speakers might pronounce the /aː/ in "bekwaam" slightly differently, but the syllable boundaries remain the same.

11. Division Rules Applied:

  • Vowel Peak Rule: Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.
  • Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable unless they are easily separable.
  • Avoid Single Initial Consonant Rule: Avoid starting a syllable with a single consonant if it can be combined with a preceding vowel.
  • Diphthong Rule: Diphthongs are kept together within a single syllable.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

The hottest word splits in Dutch

See what terms are trending and getting hyphenated by users right now.

  • ic-infrastructuur
  • abdiceer
  • Abchazië
  • abcessen
  • Abbekerk
  • abc-boek
  • Abbeweer
  • abubakar
  • abrikoos
  • abattoir
  • absoute
  • abdellah
  • abdullah
  • abdallah
  • absurds
  • absurde
  • abusief
  • abuizen
  • absente
  • absence

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.