Diphthong, Triphthong, and Hiatus

• Words are divided into syllables
• The word "publicitario" has 5 syllables: pu-bli-ci-ta-rio
• A syllable has one or two consonants and a vowel, with the exception of the last syllable, which has a consonant and two vowels
• Other types of syllables can be made up of a consonant and two or three vowels or a vowel
• These types of syllables receive a specific name

Diptongo

• It is the union of two vowels, one closed (i, u) and one open (a, e, o) or vice versa, that belong to the same syllable
• Examples:
  • Publicitario → Pu-bli-ci-ta-rio
  • Pueblo → Pue-blo

Triptongo

• It is the union of three vowels in the same syllable
• The middle vowel must be open
• Examples:
  • Miau → Miau
  • Paraguay → Pa-ra-guay
  • Graduéis → Gra-duéis

Hiato

• It is the separation of two open vowels in a row or the separation of an open and a closed vowel that are pronounced in different syllables
• Examples:
  • Oido → O-i-do
  • Toalla → To-a-lla