Questions and answers about vocal encounters

Is health a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "health" is an example of a gap. The hiatus occurs when a word has two vowels, one next to the other, but when we do the separation of syllables, they are in different syllables, because they are pronounced in two impulses (sa-ú) and not in one (sau).

Is cheese a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "cheese" is an example of a diphthong. The diphthong occurs when a word has a vowel and a semivowel, next to each other, in the same syllable. This means that when we do the separation of syllables, the vowel and the semivowel are together, being pronounced in a single impulse.

In "queijo", the meeting of the vowel "e" with the semivowel "i", which form the sound /ei/ in the same syllable (quHey-jo), is a diphthong.

Is dia a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "day" is an example of a hiatus. The hiatus occurs when a word has two vowels, one next to the other, but when we do the separation of syllables, they are in different syllables, because they are pronounced in two impulses (di-a) and not in one (day).

Is Caixote a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "box" is an example of a diphthong. The diphthong occurs when a word has a vowel and a semivowel, next to each other, in the same syllable. This means that when we do the separation of syllables, the vowel and the semivowel are together, being pronounced in a single impulse.

In "caixote", the meeting of the vowel "a" with the semivowel "i", which form the sound /ai/ in the same syllable (cthere-xo-te), is a diphthong.

Is tire a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "tire" is an example of a diphthong. The diphthong occurs when a word has a vowel and a semivowel, next to each other, in the same syllable. This means that when we do the separation of syllables, the vowel and the semivowel are together, being pronounced in a single impulse.

In "pneu", the meeting of the vowel "e" with the semivowel "u", which form the sound /eu/ in the same syllable (pnIt isu), is a diphthong.

Is water a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "water" is an example of a diphthong. The diphthong occurs when a word has a vowel and a semivowel, next to each other, in the same syllable. This means that when we do the separation of syllables, the vowel and the semivowel are together, being pronounced in a single impulse.

In "água", the meeting of the semivowel "u" ​​with the vowel "a", which form the sound /ua/ in the same syllable (á-gwow), is a diphthong.

Is chair a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "chair" is an example of a diphthong. The diphthong occurs when a word has a vowel and a semivowel, next to each other, in the same syllable. This means that when we do the separation of syllables, the vowel and the semivowel are together, being pronounced in a single impulse.

In "cadeira", the meeting of the vowel "e" with the vowel "i", which form the sound /ei/ in the same syllable (ca-dHey-ra), is a diphthong.

Is output a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "exit" is an example of a gap. The hiatus occurs when a word has two vowels, one next to the other, but when we do the separation of syllables, they are on different syllables, because they are pronounced in two impulses (sa-í) and not in one (leaves).

Is a clock a diphthong, triphthong or hiatus?

The word "clock" is an example of a gap. The hiatus occurs when a word has two vowels, one next to the other, but when we do the separation of syllables, they are on different syllables, because they are pronounced in two impulses (gi-o) and not in one (gio).

The syllable separation of the word “clock” is re-ló-gi-o.

How are diphthongs classified?

Diphthongs can be classified as oral or nasal, rising or falling.

Oral diphthongs: are those in which, in their pronunciation, the passage of air is made only through the mouth. Examples: "ai", "hey", "hi", "ui", "me".

Nasal diphthongs: are those in which, in their pronunciation, the passage of air is made through the mouth and nose. Examples: "ãe", "õe", "ãi", "ão".

Crescent diphthong: occurs when the semivowel comes before the vowel. Example: a-gwow.

Descending diphthong: occurs when the semivowel comes after the vowel. Example: lHey-tu-ra.

What is a rising and falling diphthong?

A rising diphthong occurs when the semivowel comes before the vowel, in the same syllable. For example, in the word "á-gwow", the semivowel "u" ​​is before the vowel "a" and is pronounced first, forming a rising diphthong.

On the other hand, a falling diphthong occurs when the semivowel is after the vowel, in the same syllable. In this case, the semivowel is pronounced after the vowel. For example, in the word "lei-tu-ra", the vowel "e" is pronounced before the semivowel "i", forming a falling diphthong.

What is oral diphthong and nasal diphthong?

An oral diphthong occurs when, in its pronunciation, the passage of air is made only through the mouth. Examples of oral diphthongs are "ai", "hey", "oi", "ui", "eu".

A nasal diphthong, on the other hand, occurs when, in its pronunciation, the passage of air is made through the mouth and nose. Examples of nasal diphthongs are "ãe", "õe", "ãi", "ão".

Can a word have more than one vowel cluster?

It is rare, but a word can have more than one vowel cluster. The word “quinquennium”, for example, contains two diphthongs and a hiatus: quin-qhuh-ni-o.

The diphthongs of the word “quinquennium” are in the syllables quin- and whathuh-. Remembering that diphthong is the meeting of two vowels in the same syllable.

The gap in the word “quinquennium” is in the syllables ni- It is -O. Remembering that hiatus is the meeting of two vowels in different syllables.

What is a consonant cluster?

Consonant cluster is the meeting of consonants together in the same word, without vowels between them. Examples:

  • cli-in-te
  • trhey-no
  • plone
  • glu-ten
  • psi-co-lo-gi-a

Vowel encounters can occur:

in the same syllable (in this case they are inseparable), for example, the words “climate” (cli-ma) and “dam” (re-pre-sa);

in different syllables (in this case they are separable), for example, the words “corruption” (cor-ruP-ção) and “obstacle” (obs-ta-cu-lo).

It is important to remember that consonant cluster and digraph are different. In the consonant cluster, each consonant represents a different phoneme, while in the digraph, each group of letters represents only one phoneme. For example, the word “hat” contains a digraph (ch), because the ch represents the phoneme x.

FERNANDES, Marcia. Questions and answers about vocal encounters.All Matter, [n.d.]. Available in: https://www.todamateria.com.br/perguntas-e-respostas-sobre-encontros-vocalicos/. Access at:

See too

  • Vocal Encounters
  • Diphthong
  • Syllable Separation
  • Gap
  • Triphthong
  • Vowel, Semivowel and Consonant
  • consonant clusters
  • Syllable Separation (Kids)
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