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Hyphenation ofsjälvbevarelsedriftens

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

själv-be-va-rel-se-drift-ens

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

/ˈsjølvbɛˌvaːrɛlsɛˌdriftɛnːs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0100000

Primary stress falls on the second syllable 'be'. Swedish stress is typically on the first syllable of a word or compound, but can shift.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

själv/sjølv/

Open syllable, onset cluster 'sj', vowel 'æ'

be/bɛ/

Closed syllable, onset 'b', vowel 'ɛ', stressed

va/vaː/

Open syllable, onset 'v', long vowel 'aː'

rel/rɛl/

Closed syllable, onset 'r', vowel 'ɛ'

se/sɛ/

Closed syllable, onset 's', vowel 'ɛ'

drift/drift/

Closed syllable, onset 'dr', vowel 'i'

ens/ɛnːs/

Closed syllable, onset 'ɛ', long consonant 'n', vowel 'ɛ'

Morphemic Breakdown

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

själv(prefix)
+
bevara(root)
+
-else-drift-ens(suffix)

Prefix: själv

Proto-Germanic origin, meaning 'self'

Root: bevara

Old Norse origin, meaning 'to preserve'

Suffix: -else-drift-ens

Combination of nominalizing suffix '-else-' and genitive singular definite article '-ens'

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The drive for self-preservation

Translation: The drive for self-preservation

Examples:

"Självbevarelsedriftens är stark hos alla levande varelser."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

överlevnadsinstinktenö-ver-lev-nads-in-stink-ten

Similar complex noun structure with multiple syllables.

samhällsförändringarnasam-hälls-för-än-dring-ar-na

Similar compounding structure and genitive plural ending.

försäkringsbolagetsför-säk-rings-bo-la-gets

Similar complex noun structure with possessive ending.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Onset Maximization

Swedish favors creating syllables with as many consonants in the onset as possible.

Vowel Nucleus

Each syllable must have a vowel nucleus.

Suffix Separation

Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.

Special Considerations

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

The 'v' in 'själv' can be considered a semi-vowel, but functions as part of the onset.

Double consonants at the end are typical of Swedish definite forms.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'självbevarelsedriftens' is a complex Swedish noun meaning 'the drive for self-preservation'. It's syllabified as själv-be-va-rel-se-drift-ens, with primary stress on 'be'. The word is formed through compounding and suffixation, following Swedish rules of onset maximization and vowel nucleus requirements.

Detailed Analysis:

Swedish Word Analysis: självbevarelsedriftens

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "självbevarelsedriftens" is a complex noun in Swedish, meaning "the drive for self-preservation." It's a relatively long word formed through compounding and suffixation. Pronunciation involves several consonant clusters and vowel qualities characteristic of Swedish.

2. Syllable Division:

Following Swedish syllabification rules, which generally favor maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable), the word is divided as follows (using only the original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • själv-: Prefix, meaning "self" (Proto-Germanic origin). Functions as an intensifier or reflexive marker.
  • bevara-: Root, meaning "to preserve" (Old Norse verja "to defend, protect").
  • -else-: Suffix, forming nouns from verbs (Germanic origin). Creates a nominalization.
  • -drift-: Root, meaning "drive, impulse" (Old Norse drift "driving force").
  • -ens: Suffix, definite article genitive singular (Swedish grammatical marker).

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the second syllable: "be-". Swedish stress is generally predictable, falling on the first syllable of a word or compound, but can shift in certain cases.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˈsjølvbɛˌvaːrɛlsɛˌdriftɛnːs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The consonant cluster "lv" can sometimes be challenging, but in Swedish, it's a permissible onset. The double "s" at the end is a common feature of Swedish genitive singular definite forms.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word is primarily a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical function within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Word: självbevarelsedriftens
  • Part of Speech: Noun (en)
  • Definitions:
    • "The drive for self-preservation"
    • "The instinct for survival"
  • Translation: "The drive for self-preservation"
  • Synonyms: överlevnadsinstinkten ("the survival instinct")
  • Antonyms: självmordstendenser ("suicidal tendencies")
  • Examples:
    • "Självbevarelsedriftens är stark hos alla levande varelser." ("The drive for self-preservation is strong in all living beings.")
    • "Han ignorerade självbevarelsedriftens och sprang in i den brinnande byggnaden." ("He ignored the drive for self-preservation and ran into the burning building.")

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • överlevnadsinstinkten (survival instinct): ö-ver-lev-nads-in-stink-ten. Similar syllable structure with multiple closed syllables.
  • samhällsförändringarna (the societal changes): sam-hälls-för-än-dring-ar-na. Similar compounding structure and genitive plural ending.
  • försäkringsbolagets (the insurance company's): för-säk-rings-bo-la-gets. Similar complex noun structure with possessive ending.

The differences in syllable division arise from the specific consonant and vowel sequences within each word, but the underlying principles of maximizing onsets and respecting vowel qualities remain consistent.

10. Division Rules:

  • Onset Maximization: Swedish favors creating syllables with as many consonants in the onset as possible. (e.g., "själv-", "drift-")
  • Vowel Nucleus: Each syllable must have a vowel nucleus. (e.g., "be-", "else-")
  • Consonant Cluster Resolution: Complex consonant clusters are broken down based on sonority hierarchy, with more sonorous sounds tending to form the nucleus of a syllable.
  • Suffix Separation: Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables. (e.g., "-ens")

11. Special Considerations:

The "v" in "själv" can sometimes be considered a semi-vowel, but it functions as part of the onset in this case. The double consonants at the end of the word are typical of Swedish definite forms and don't affect syllabification.

12. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in vowel pronunciation might exist, but they wouldn't significantly alter the syllable division. Some dialects might slightly reduce the vowel in unstressed syllables.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

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