Syllable Structure

Syllable structure refers to the way syllables are organized within words. A syllable typically consists of a core vowel sound (the nucleus) and may include consonants before it (the onset) and after it (the coda). For example, in the word "cat," "c" is the onset, "a" is the nucleus, and "t" is the coda. The arrangement of these elements can differ across languages, influencing pronunciation and rhythm. Understanding syllable structure helps with language learning, poetry, and phonetics, as it reveals how sounds group together to form the building blocks of speech.