hearken

How to Split "hearken" into Syllables

The word hearken is divided into 2 syllables: hear·ken. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

• hear — 1st syllable
• ken — 2nd syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of hearken:

• IPA: /ˈhɑːk(ə)n/

📖 Definitions

1. hearken (third-person singular simple present hearkens, present participle hearkening, simple past and past participle hearkened)
2. The form hearken is much more common in Britain, while harken (which is older and thought by some to be more regularly formed from hark) is more common in the United States.

📚 Word Origin & History

From Middle English herkenen (“to listen (attentively); to pay attention, take heed”) [and other forms], from Old English hercnian, heorcnian, hyrcnian, from *heorcian (“to hark”) infixed with -n-, from Proto-West Germanic *hauʀijan, from Proto-Germanic *hauzijaną (“to hear”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ḱh₂owsyéti (“to be sharp-eared, hear well”), from *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”) + *h₂ṓws (“ear”) + *-yéti (denominative suffix), thus equivalent to hark +‎ -en. Th...

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down hearken into syllables helps with:

• Correct pronunciation — Knowing syllable structure ensures accurate speech
• Improved spelling — Breaking words into chunks makes them easier to remember and write
• Reading fluency — Recognizing syllable patterns speeds up reading comprehension
• Poetry and lyrics — Syllable counting is essential for meter and rhythm
• Language learning — Non-native speakers benefit from syllable awareness

📊 Similar Words Comparison

Compare hearken with related words to understand syllable patterns:

Word	Syllables	Division
hearken	2	hear·ken
heroism	2	he-roism
Harrison	3	har-ri-son
hurricane	4	hur-ri-ca-ne
harken	2	har-ken

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to hearken:

Head, heal, heap, hear, heat, heady, hears, heart.