The adiphthong or hiatus is the vowel meeting that cannot be pronounced in the same syllable, which forces the separation of sounds into two different syllables. For example: san dYo–aband–a-to, ceither–eitherr-di-nar
There are two types of adiphthongs:
- vowel adiphthong. It is generated when two different open vowels coincide (a, e, o) or when the same open vowel is repeated. For example: ca-er, po-e-ma.
- accentual adiphthong. It is produced by the meeting of an open or strong vowel (a, e, o) with another closed or weak (i, u) tonic, regardless of the order. The verbs of the second and third conjugation (those ending in -er and -ir), in the past tense of the indicative mood, always include an adiphthong. For example: re-ir, uncle-o.
It is important to clarify that the presence of an intermediate h between vowels does not interrupt the adipthong, if it exists. It is also worth clarifying that previously the verbs ending in -uir (flee, distribute, build) were considered adiphthongs and had an accent in the last “i”. Verbs ending in -uar (fit, liquefy), were accented on the ‘u’ in the present indicative and therefore formed adiphthongs. Nowadays these tildes were suppressed and these verbs are part of the words with diphthongs, both the infinitive and the conjugated forms, as well as the derived nouns.
Examples of hiatuses or adiphthongs
Poetry Rocío Commendable Subterranean Escape Croatia Sew Coercive Knew Pyrenees Laugh Distorts Read Induce Suffered Prophecy Zoology Rheostat Cackling Symphony Pawn Summer Corn Lazy Except Redúe Redúan Lute Pleamar Duo Cod Knew Distracted Country Escapes Isolates Maoism Tide Hostage Corrodes Tetrahedron Worse Bustío Odisío Ojéíaína Cafeteria Ojéalón Possess Gnawed Area Ship Line Petiole Royalty Cockatoo Prowess Plectrum Blessed Challenges Gathering Theatrical Coffin Empty Melody Hexahedron Strap River Watermelon Crowd Psychology Crooked Wag Trunk Advocacy Alibi Azoospermia Gather Mistrust Occurred Coalition Aircraft Covered Heroism Bleach Ugliness Litany Get Off Poem Attic Theorem Coordinated Worried Savings Conceited Preamble Batahola Ethereal Azalea Sleigh Boa Boo Coati
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