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Hyphenation ofrioolwaterzuiveringen

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

ri-ool-wa-ter-zu-i-ve-rin-gen

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

/riˈoːlˌwaːtərˌzʏi̯vəˈrɪŋə(n)/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

010010010

Primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable 'rin'. The stress pattern is typical for Dutch compound nouns.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

ri/ri/

Open syllable, initial syllable.

ool/oːl/

Closed syllable, contains a diphthong.

wa/waː/

Open syllable.

ter/tər/

Closed syllable, schwa vowel.

zu/zʏ/

Open syllable.

i/i/

Open syllable, short vowel.

ve/və/

Open syllable, schwa vowel.

rin/rɪn/

Closed syllable, stressed syllable.

gen/ŋə(n)/

Closed syllable, final syllable, contains consonant cluster 'ng'.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

(prefix)
+
riool, water, zuiver(root)
+
ingen(suffix)

Prefix:

No prefix.

Root: riool, water, zuiver

Multiple roots forming a compound noun.

Suffix: ingen

Pluralizing suffix for nouns, indicating a collective or place.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

Sewage treatment plants

Translation: Sewage treatment plants

Examples:

"De gemeente investeert in nieuwe rioolwaterzuiveringen."

"De rioolwaterzuiveringen zijn essentieel voor een schone omgeving."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

voetballenvoe-tbal-len

Similar CV structure and vowel patterns.

computerwinkelcom-pu-ter-win-kel

Similar compound structure and CV division.

universiteitu-ni-ver-si-teit

Demonstrates VCV division similar to 'zu-i-ve'.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Consonant-Vowel (CV) Division

Syllables are typically divided between consonants and vowels. When a consonant is followed by a vowel, a syllable break occurs.

Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV) Division

When a vowel is followed by a consonant and then another vowel, the syllable is divided between the consonant and the second vowel.

Special Considerations

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

Dutch allows for complex consonant clusters, such as 'ng'. Vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is common, resulting in schwa sounds (/ə/). Regional variations in vowel pronunciation exist but do not significantly alter syllable division.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'rioolwaterzuiveringen' is a compound noun divided into nine syllables based on CV and VCV rules. The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable. The word consists of multiple roots and a pluralizing suffix. Syllable division is consistent with standard Dutch phonological rules.

Detailed Analysis:

Dutch Word Analysis: rioolwaterzuiveringen

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "rioolwaterzuiveringen" (sewage treatment plants) is a compound noun in Dutch. Its pronunciation involves a complex sequence of vowels and consonants, typical of Dutch morphology. The word is relatively long and requires careful application of Dutch syllabification rules.

2. Syllable Division:

ri-ool-wa-ter-zu-i-ve-rin-gen

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • riool: Root - Dutch, meaning "sewer" or "drainage system". Originates from Middle Dutch riole.
  • water: Root - Dutch, meaning "water". Germanic origin.
  • zuiver: Root - Dutch, meaning "pure" or "clean". Germanic origin.
  • -ingen: Suffix - Dutch, pluralizing suffix for nouns, often indicating a collective or a place. Originates from Middle Dutch.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: "rin-gen".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/riˈoːlˌwaːtərˌzʏi̯vəˈrɪŋə(n)/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

  • ri-ool: Rule: Consonant-Vowel (CV) division. The 'r' is followed by a vowel 'i', creating a syllable. The 'oo' forms a diphthong within the second syllable. /riˈoːl/
  • wa-ter: Rule: Consonant-Vowel (CV) division. The 'w' is followed by a vowel 'a', creating a syllable. /waːtər/
  • zu-i-ve: Rule: Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV) division. The 'u' is followed by a consonant 'z' and then a vowel 'i', creating two syllables. /zʏi̯və/
  • -rin-gen: Rule: Consonant-Vowel (CV) division. The 'r' is followed by a vowel 'i', creating a syllable. The 'ng' forms a single consonant cluster within the final syllable. /ˈrɪŋə(n)/

7. Edge Case Review:

Dutch allows for complex consonant clusters, and the 'ng' cluster is common. The vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is also a typical feature. The schwa sound /ə/ is often present in unstressed syllables.

8. Grammatical Role:

The word is a noun. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of grammatical function, as Dutch syllabification is primarily based on phonological structure rather than morphological function.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Word: rioolwaterzuiveringen
  • Part of Speech: Noun (plural)
  • Definitions:
    • "Sewage treatment plants"
    • "Facilities for cleaning wastewater"
  • Translation: Sewage treatment plants
  • Synonyms: afvalwaterzuiveringsinstallaties (wastewater treatment facilities)
  • Antonyms: (None directly applicable)
  • Examples:
    • "De gemeente investeert in nieuwe rioolwaterzuiveringen." (The municipality is investing in new sewage treatment plants.)
    • "De rioolwaterzuiveringen zijn essentieel voor een schone omgeving." (Sewage treatment plants are essential for a clean environment.)

10. Alternative Pronunciations & Regional Variations:

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation exist in Dutch. For example, the /oː/ sound in "riool" might be slightly different depending on the region. However, these variations do not significantly affect the syllable division.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • voetballen (to play football): voe-tbal-len. Similar CV structure.
  • computerwinkel (computer store): com-pu-ter-win-kel. Similar compound structure and CV division.
  • universiteit (university): u-ni-ver-si-teit. Demonstrates VCV division similar to "zu-i-ve".
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

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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.