Morphemes with an odd number of syllables leave the final syllable unstressed (and unparsed into feet): Morphemes that consist of two syllables and are also word-final are an exception to the above and only have the trochaic pattern: These morphemes alternate with an iambic pattern when placed in a nonfinal context.

Thus náwa keeps its trochaic pattern with the addition of a single light syllable morpheme like -ta "in": However, an iambic word show its underlying iamb when it is followed by -ta: Affixation generally does not affect the stress pattern of each morpheme.

Heavy syllables since they are required to be stressed disrupt perfect trochaic and iambic rhythms.

Primary stress generally falls on the rightmost nonfinal foot.

Placing a light syllable suffix -ta "with" after a four syllable root shows shifting of primary stress: With the addition of the suffix, the root-final foot (ni.lu) is no longer word-final and is subsequently permitted to accept primary stress.