How to Stress Words

Word stress has different rules in every language. Stress in Sairupanese can be placed on the last syllable or the second-to-last syllable. Check out the "How to Separate Words into Syllables" post before moving on!

Stress is indicated by an apostrophe (ˈ) written before the syllable that is stressed. When pronounced, a speaker will place more emphasis on the syllable that is stressed (this syllable will sound louder and higher in pitch than other syllables in that word).

Words ending in a vowel (that is not [i] or [u])

Words that end in any single vowel excluding [i] and [u] are stressed on the second-to-last syllable.

For example, the word [tɾi.ˈdɛz.pɾə] ‘breasts’ is stressed on the second syllable since it ends in the vowel [ə].

Also, any word that ends in a vowel (not [i] or [u]) and then an [m], [s] or [ŋ] is stressed on the second last syllable.

For example, the word [ˈuz.dRɑm] ‘hand’ is stressed on the second last syllable since it ends in a vowel [ɑ] followed by a [m].

Words ending in [u] or [i]

Words that end in a single vowel [u] and [i] are stressed on the last syllable.

For example, the word [hɑs.ˈɟRu] ‘know’ which ends in a [u] is stressed on the last syllable.

Also, any word that ends in [i] or [u] and then an [m], [s] or [ŋ] is stressed on the last syllable.

For example, the word [θasˈtRĩm] ‘sleep’ is stressed on the last syllable since it ends in a vowel [i] followed by a [m]. (Note: The line over the [i] means the [i] is pronounced by letting air go through nose when saying the word - for more information check out the "Nasalization" post!)

Words that end in a consonant (other than [m], [s] or [ŋ])

Words that end in any consonant other than [s], [m], or [ŋ] are stressed on the last syllable.

For example, the word [cɑs.ˈpɾəp] ‘eat’ is stressed on the last syllable because it ends in a consonant [p] which is not considered one of the exceptions to this rule.

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Practice

Try adding stress to the following words:

[mɛ̃zʎi] 'bird'

[mə̃ɾo] 'big'

[mbœtip] 'long'

Answers

1) [mɛ̃.'zʎi] - ends in [i] so second-last syllable

2) ['mə̃.ɾo] - ends in [o] so second-last syllable

3) [mbœ.'tip] - ends in consonant other than [m],[s] or [ŋ] so last syllable