Hyphenate Meaning in English

word

US

ˈhaɪfəˌneɪt

HY-fuh-nayt

UK

hˈaɪfənˌeɪt

HY-fuhn-ayt

Definition

To connect or separate words using a hyphen (-), often in writing to make compound words or to split a word at the end of a line.

Usage & Nuances

Primarily used in formal or academic writing. Common with compound adjectives (e.g., 'well-known'), at line breaks, or for clarity. Don't confuse with 'dash' (longer punctuation). 'Hyphenate' can be used as a verb ('Please hyphenate this word').

• Spanish: separar con guion - unir con guion
• Portuguese (BR): hifenizar - separar com hífen
• Portuguese (PT): hifenizar - separar com hífen
• Chinese (Simplified): 用连字符连接
• Chinese (Traditional): 用連字號連接
• Hindi: हाइफ़न से जोड़ना
• Arabic: يَفصِل بعلامة وصل
• Bengali: হাইফেন যুক্ত করা - সংযোগকারী চিহ্ন (-) ব্যবহার করা
• Russian: дефисовать - писать с дефисом
• Japanese: ハイフンでつなぐ
• Vietnamese: gạch nối - nối bằng dấu gạch ngang
• Korean: 하이픈을 붙이다
• Turkish: tire işaretiyle birleştirmek
• Urdu: یعنی لفظ کو ہائفن (-) کے ساتھ لکھنا
• Indonesian: menggabungkan dengan tanda hubung - menyisipkan tanda hubung

Example Sentences

Please hyphenate the word 'self-esteem'.

basic

Should we hyphenate 'part-time' or write it as one word?

basic

Some editors like to hyphenate long words at line breaks.

basic

Don’t forget to hyphenate ‘mother-in-law’—it looks weird without the hyphens.

natural

I always get confused about when to hyphenate compound adjectives.

natural

The program will automatically hyphenate words if they don’t fit at the end of a line.

natural