French word

syllabe

Pronunciation

IPA/silab/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsyllable

Example

Ce mot a trois syllabes.

This word has three syllables.

Illustration for syllabe (syllable)

More examples

La dernière syllabe n'est pas toujours prononcée.

The last syllable is not always pronounced.

Core concept

A word as a row of sound beats, each built around a vowel.

Common phrases

  • une syllabe accentuée

    a stressed syllable

  • la dernière syllabe

    the last syllable

  • compter les syllabes

    count the syllables

Similar words

son: A sound perceived by the ear.
mot: A meaningful unit of language.
voyelle: A vowel sound produced during speech.
lettre: A single written symbol.

Definition in French

Unité sonore d'un mot formée autour d'une voyelle et perceptible comme un battement rythmique.

Word origin

French syllabe entered through Latin syllaba from Greek syllabē, linked to Greek syllambanein, meaning 'to bring together'.

Usage tips

  • A silent final e often adds no spoken beat, so written and heard syllable counts can differ.

Related words

  • bisyllabea two-syllable wordnoun
  • trisyllabea three-syllable wordnoun

Word lists with this word