Stress
The word stress in Macedonian is antepenultimate, meaning it falls on the third from last syllable in words with three or more syllables, and on the first or only syllable in other words. This is sometimes disregarded when the word has entered the language more recently or from a foreign source. The following rules apply:
- Disyllabic words are stressed on the second-to-last syllable.
For example, дете ('child'), мajкa ('mother') and тaтко ('father').
- Trisyllabic and polysyllabic words are stressed on the third-to-last syllable.
For example, планина ('mountain'), планината ('the mountain'), and планинарите ('the mountaineers').
Exceptions include:
- Verbal adverbs: e.g. викaјќи ('shouting'), одејќи ('walking').
- Foreign loanwords: e.g. клише ('cliché'), генеза ('genesis'), литература ('literature').
- A number of anthroponyms (ex. Александар, 'Alexander') and toponyms (ex. Канада, 'Canada').
Read more about this topic: Macedonian Phonology
Famous quotes containing the word stress:
“Like all weak men he laid an exaggerated stress on not changing one’s mind.”
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1966)
“Anyone who wishes to combine domestic responsibilities and paid employment with the least stress and most enjoyment might start by pondering this paradox: the first step to better functioning is to stop blaming herself for not functioning well enough.”
—Faye J. Crosby (20th century)
“While ... we cannot and must not hide our concern for grave world dangers, and while, at the same time, we cannot build walls around ourselves and hide our heads in the sand, we must go forward with all our strength to stress and to strive for international peace. In this effort America must and will protect herself.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)