Diereses meaning

Diereses are the pronunciation of two adjacent vowels in separate syllables within a word.


Diereses definitions

Word backwards sesereid
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division di-er-es-es
Plural The plural of the word "diereses" is "diaereses."
Total letters 8
Vogais (2) i,e
Consonants (3) d,r,s

Diereses, also known as umlauts, are two dots placed over a vowel in a word to indicate that it should be pronounced separately from the preceding vowel. This linguistic mark is commonly used in various languages, including German, French, Dutch, and Hungarian.

Origin and Usage

The word "diaeresis" originates from the Greek word "diaíresis," meaning division or separation. In German, the umlaut changes the sound of the vowel, indicating a different pronunciation. For example, the letter "a" with an umlaut (ä) is pronounced like the "e" in "bed." In French, the diaeresis is used to show that the vowel is pronounced independently, such as in the word "naïve."

Clarification and Distinction

Diereses are essential for clarity in language, especially in cases where two vowels next to each other would typically create a different sound. The diacritic mark distinguishes between a single sound and a separate pronunciation of each vowel, aiding in proper enunciation and understanding.

Typing and Representation

On a standard keyboard, you can type a diaeresis by using a specific code or shortcut depending on the operating system. In HTML, the diaeresis character can be represented by the "¨" entity. It's crucial to ensure correct typing and representation to maintain the integrity and meaning of the written text.

Overall, diereses play a vital role in linguistics by indicating pronunciation and separating vowels for clarity. Understanding and correctly using these diacritical marks contribute to effective communication and proper interpretation of written text in various languages.


Diereses Examples

  1. The word "coöperate" uses a dieresis to indicate that the two vowels are pronounced separately.
  2. In French, the dieresis is used in words like "naïve" to show that the vowels should be pronounced individually.
  3. Some English words use diereses to show a separate syllable, like "naïve" and "reëlect."
  4. The dieresis in the word "coördinate" tells us that the two vowels should be pronounced in separate sounds.
  5. Diereses can be found in loanwords like "née" from French, indicating a separate pronunciation of each vowel.
  6. The dieresis in "coöperation" helps us see that the vowels should be pronounced separately, rather than as a digraph.
  7. In some cases, diereses are used to maintain the pronunciation of a word, like in "reëstablish."
  8. Words like "reëlect" and "coöperative" use the dieresis to emphasize separate sounds for each vowel.
  9. The use of diereses in English indicates that the two vowels should be pronounced as separate syllables.
  10. Diereses are essential in languages like French to show the pronunciation of certain vowel combinations.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 09/07/2024 - 17:25:45