trochaic

Trochaic is a term in poetry and prosody describing a metrical foot that consists of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable, often scanned as DUM-da. The word derives from the Greek term trochaikos, reflecting its origin in classical prosody, and in English verse it denotes lines built from trochaic feet rather than iambic feet.

A trochaic line is constructed from trochaic feet. The most common English form is trochaic tetrameter, four trochaic feet per line, which creates a marching or rhythmic pattern. Other forms include trochaic trimeter (three feet) and, less commonly, trochaic pentameter. A line or foot may be catalectic, meaning it lacks a final unstressed syllable, which alters the cadence.

Usage: In English-language poetry, trochaic verse is less common than iambic but is used for specific effects—strong, percussive, chant-like, or martial tones. It appears in traditional ballads, lullabies, and some Romantic-era verse. A familiar example often cited for its trochaic rhythm is the phrase “London Bridge is falling down.”

Cross-linguistic note: The trochaic foot is recognized in the prosody of many languages, though exact patterns and acceptability vary with language-specific stress systems. In analysis, poets may mix trochaic with other feet for variety or apply substitutions to fit meter and natural speech.