The hyphen (-), le trait d'union, is used to connect words: suis-je?
Syllables
1. A French syllable generally begins with a consonant; the first syllable, however, may begin with a vowel: fé-li-ci-ter, a-me-ner.
2. When there are two consonants, the first belongs to the preceding syllable, the second to the following syllable: en-fant, bon-té.
3. If the second consonant is l or r, the two consonants belong to the same syllable: ou-bli-er, ou-vrit. The combinations ch, ph, th, gn always belong to the same syllable.
Stress
All French syllables, except those ending with a mute e, are pronounced with equal stress, but the voice rests on the last syllable giving it a slight emphasis. If the last syllable contains a mute e, the emphasis falls on the preceding syllable: im|par|fait, a|bon|dant, a|bon|dan|te, tu de|man|des, ils de|man|dent.
Simple Vowel Sounds
1. a, short, somewhat like the first o in follow: la, table, quatre.
2. a, long, like a in Arthur: â, ~ation, ~as, ~ass~.