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Hyphenation ofrechtsstatelijkheid

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

rechts-sta-te-lijk-heid

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

/rɛxts.staːt.ləi̯k.hɛit/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00010

Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('lijk'). The other syllables are unstressed.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

rechts/rɛxts/

Closed syllable, complex onset.

sta/staːt/

Open syllable, long vowel.

te/tə/

Open syllable, schwa vowel.

lijk/ləi̯k/

Closed syllable, diphthong, primary stress.

heid/hɛit/

Open syllable, final syllable.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

rechts(prefix)
+
staat(root)
+
elijkheid(suffix)

Prefix: rechts

Germanic origin, meaning 'right', 'lawful', adjective-forming.

Root: staat

Germanic origin, meaning 'state', 'condition'.

Suffix: elijkheid

Dutch suffix derived from Latin -itas, indicates a quality or state. Composed of -lijk and -heid.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The state or quality of being a Rechtsstaat (rule of law state).

Translation: Rule of law, legality, the state of lawfulness.

Examples:

"De rechtsstatelijkheid is een fundamenteel principe van onze democratie."

"Er is bezorgdheid over de aantasting van de rechtsstatelijkheid."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

vrijheidvrij-heid

Similar suffix structure and noun formation.

werkelijkheidwerk-e-lijk-heid

Shares the -elijkheid suffix, demonstrating consistent suffix syllabification.

eenvoudigheideen-voud-ig-heid

Shares the -igheid suffix, demonstrating consistent suffix syllabification.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Consonant Division

Syllables are typically divided after vowels, creating open syllables where possible.

Consonant Cluster Maintenance

Consonant clusters are maintained within a syllable if pronounceable, as seen in 'rechts'.

Special Considerations

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

The complex onset 'rechts' is a common feature of Dutch phonology but can be challenging for learners.

Schwa reduction in unstressed syllables is a typical Dutch phenomenon.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'rechtsstatelijkheid' is a Dutch noun meaning 'rule of law'. It is divided into five syllables: rechts-sta-te-lijk-heid, with primary stress on 'lijk'. The word is morphologically complex, consisting of a Germanic prefix 'rechts-', root 'staat-', and the suffix '-elijkheid'. Syllabification follows standard Dutch rules, maintaining consonant clusters and dividing after vowels.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "rechtsstatelijkheid" (Dutch)

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "rechtsstatelijkheid" is a complex noun in Dutch, denoting the quality or state of being a rule of law state. Its pronunciation involves a series of consonant clusters and vowel sounds typical of Dutch.

2. Syllable Division:

Following Dutch syllabification rules, the word is divided as follows (using only original letters):

rechts-sta-te-lijk-heid

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: rechts- (Germanic origin, meaning "right," "lawful"). Functions as an adjective-forming element.
  • Root: staat- (Germanic origin, meaning "state," "condition").
  • Suffixes: -elijkheid (Dutch suffix, derived from Middle Dutch -licheit, ultimately from Latin -itas). Indicates a quality, state, or condition. This suffix is composed of -lijk (adjective forming) and -heid (noun forming).

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: lijk.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/rɛxts.staːt.ləi̯k.hɛit/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

  • rechts-: /rɛxts/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable as long as they are pronounceable. Exception: Dutch allows for complex onsets.
  • sta-: /staːt/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s).
  • te-: /tə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Schwa vowel reduction is common in unstressed syllables.
  • lijk-: /ləi̯k/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Diphthong followed by consonant. Primary stress.
  • heid-: /hɛit/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s).

7. Edge Case Review:

The "rechts" portion presents a complex onset. Dutch tolerates such clusters, but they can be challenging for non-native speakers. The diphthong "ei" in "lijk" is a typical Dutch sound.

8. Grammatical Role:

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

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The state or quality of being a Rechtsstaat (rule of law state).
  • Translation: Rule of law, legality, the state of lawfulness.
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • Synonyms: Rechtszekerheid (legal certainty), wetmatigheid (legality)
  • Antonyms: Willekeur (arbitrariness), anarchie (anarchy)
  • Examples:
    • "De rechtsstatelijkheid is een fundamenteel principe van onze democratie." (The rule of law is a fundamental principle of our democracy.)
    • "Er is bezorgdheid over de aantasting van de rechtsstatelijkheid." (There is concern about the erosion of the rule of law.)

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation exist, but they do not significantly alter the syllabification. Some speakers might pronounce the "ei" in "lijk" slightly differently, but the syllable boundary remains the same.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • Vrijheid (freedom): vrij-heid. Similar structure with a suffix. Stress on the first syllable.
  • Werkelijkheid (reality): werk-e-lijk-heid. Similar suffix -elijkheid. Stress on the third syllable.
  • Eenvoudigheid (simplicity): een-voud-ig-heid. Similar suffix -igheid. Stress on the second syllable.

The differences in stress placement are due to the inherent rhythmic patterns of Dutch and the weight of the syllables. "Rechtsstatelijkheid" has a heavier fourth syllable due to the diphthong, attracting the stress.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/10/2025

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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.