Syllables (Склады)

A syllable (склад) is a unit of pronunciation. In Belarusian, the number of syllables in a word equals the number of vowels. The Belarusian vowels are: а, о, у, ы, э, е, ё, і, ю, я Count the vowels → count the syllables!

брат — 1 vowel → 1 syllable

шко-ла — 2 vowels → 2 syllables

ву-чань — 2 vowels → 2 syllables

хло-пец — 2 vowels → 2 syllables

а-дку-ль — 2 vowels → 2 syllables

When dividing words into syllables, follow these rules: 1. A single consonant between vowels goes with the next vowel: ма-ці, бра-ты 2. When two or more consonants stand between vowels, the last consonant goes with the next vowel: сяс-тра, школ-ка 3. The letters ь, й always stay with the preceding vowel: маль-чык, зай-чык 4. дж, дз count as single consonants when they represent one sound: ра-дзі-ма

ма-ці — mo-ther (single consonant → next vowel)

сяс-тра — si-ster (last consonant → next vowel)

школь-ны — school (adj.) (ь stays with preceding vowel)

Vocabulary

Practice

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