Syllabes (en. Syllables)

/si.la.b/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
A syllable is a unit of sound that constitutes a word or part of a word.
The word 'cat' is made up of a single syllable.
Le mot 'chat' est composé d'une seule syllabe.
Syllables can be composed of a single vowel or a vowel preceded or followed by one or more consonants.
The word 'house' has two syllables: 'mai' and 'son'.
Le mot 'maison' a deux syllabes : 'mai' et 'son'.
A syllable can have a rhythmic function in poetry.
Poets play with the length of syllables to create a rhythm.
Les poètes jouent avec la longueur des syllabes pour créer un rythme.

Etymology

The word 'syllable' comes from the Latin 'syllaba', which is itself derived from the Greek 'sullabē', meaning 'a combination of letters'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

break into syllables
To divide a word into its various syllables.
découper en syllabes
accented syllables
Syllables that carry the tonic accent in a word.
syllabes accentuées
open syllables
Syllables that end with a vowel.
syllabes ouvertes

Related Words

phonetics
Related to the pronunciation of sounds.
phonétique
meter
The rhythmic structure of a poem, often determined by the number of syllables.
mètre
verse
A line of poetry that can be classified according to the number of syllables.
vers

Slang Meanings

To have the syllables in one's head
When I’m stressed, I have the syllables in my head while reviewing my courses.
Quand je suis stressé, j'ai les syllabes dans la tête en révisant mes cours.
To cut the syllables
He likes to cut the syllables of words to have fun pronouncing them.
Il aime couper les syllabes des mots pour s'amuser à les prononcer.