Types of Syllables in French

Here’s a detailed breakdown of types of syllables in French, with examples for each:

1. Based on Structure

• Open syllable ("syllabe ouverte"): Ends in a vowel sound.

  • Example: ma in ma-man (mom)
  • Example: pa in pa-pa (dad)

• Closed syllable ("syllabe fermée"): Ends in a consonant sound.

  • Example: chant in chan-ter (to sing)
  • Example: fort in for-te (strong)

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2. Based on Stress

(French stress is weak compared to English or Spanish, but generally follows these rules.)

• Stressed syllable ("syllabe accentuée"): The last pronounced syllable carries the stress.

  • Example: parler → stress on ler (par-LER) (to speak)
  • Example: hôtel → stress on tel (hô-TEL) (hotel)

• Unstressed syllable ("syllabe inaccentuée"): All syllables that don’t carry stress.

  • Example: a in a-voir (a is unstressed) (to have)
  • Example: mé in mé-de-cin (mé is unstressed) (doctor)

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3. Based on Function in the Word

• Tonic syllable ("syllabe tonique"): The last pronounced syllable in a word.

  • Example: tien in tiens (here you go)
  • Example: ver in vert (green)

• Pre-tonic syllable ("syllabe prétonique"): The syllable before the tonic one.

  • Example: a in a-mi (a is pre-tonic, mi is tonic) (friend)
  • Example: ho in ho-tel (ho is pre-tonic, tel is tonic) (hotel)

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4. Based on Phonetics

• Oral syllable ("syllabe orale"): A syllable that is pronounced clearly.

  • Example: ta in ta-ble (table)
  • Example: é in é-lève (student)

• Silent syllable ("syllabe muette"): A syllable or letter that is written but not pronounced.

  • Example: petit is pronounced pe-ti (t is silent) (small)
  • Example: beaucoup is pronounced bo-kou (p is silent) (a lot)

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Example Breakdown: "élève"

• Number of syllables: 2 (é-lève)
• Open syllable: é (ends in a vowel)
• Closed syllable: lève (ends in a consonant)
• Tonic syllable: lève (last pronounced syllable)
• Pre-tonic syllable: é (before the tonic syllable)