3 syllables: A, po, phis. Stress on po.
uh-POH-fis
/əˈpoʊfɪs/
Apophis is pronounced uh-POH-fis (/əˈpoʊfɪs/). It has three syllables (A-po-phis), with the stress on "po". Apophis is a proper noun used most notably for a near-Earth asteroid named 99942 Apophis. In astronomy and popular science contexts, it refers to this celestial object and discussions about its trajectory. As a proper noun, the term is pronounced with a stressed syllable and clear vowel sounds to ensure unambiguous identification in technical dialogue.
nounApophis is a proper noun used most notably for a near-Earth asteroid named 99942 Apophis. In astronomy and popular science contexts, it refers to this celestial object and discussions about its trajectory. As a proper noun, the term is pronounced with a stressed syllable and clear vowel sounds to ensure unambiguous identification in technical dialogue.
"Scientists labeled the asteroid Apophis as having a non-zero probability of Earth encounter in the 21st century."
"During the livestream, the astronomer explained Apophis's orbital parameters to the audience."
"The press release discussed Apophis in the context of planetary defense research."
Apophis is pronounced as /ˈæpəˌfɪs/ in US/UK/AU English. Primary stress falls on the first syllable: AH-pə- fishes with a light, quick second syllable. The /p/ and /f/ are clear stops, and the final /ɪs/ is a short, clipped ‘iss’. Mouth position: start with a relaxed jaw for /æ/, then a crisp /p/ burst, a neutral /ə/ in the second syllable, a crisp /f/ with the bottom lip near the upper teeth, and finish with /ɪs/.
Common errors include reducing the middle syllable to a schwa too weakly or omitting the /p/ burst, resulting in /ˈæpəfɪs/ or /ˈæpəsɪs/. Another frequent mistake is misplacing stress, saying /ˈæpəfɪs/ with inconsistent emphasis. Correction: keep a clear /p/ release after /æ/ and maintain the light /ə/ before /f/, ensuring the final /ɪs/ is short and crisp. Practice saying AH-pə-fiss deliberately, then speed up.
Across accents, the primary stress remains on the first syllable, but vowel qualities shift: US and UK typically use /ˈæpəˌfɪs/ with a short /æ/ as in 'cat', while Australian English often features a slightly broader vowel in /æ/ and a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable. The /p/ and /f/ are steady in all, but the duration of the /ɪ/ can vary slightly, and rhoticity does not affect this word. Overall, the pronunciation stays largely consistent, with minor vowel shifts.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic structure and the combination of two plosive/fricative sounds in close sequence: /p/ and /f/ adjacent requires precise lip control to avoid blending. The sequence /ə/ (schwa) can be confusing if spoken quickly, leading to a weak middle vowel. Emphasize the first syllable onset with a clear stop then roll into a crisp /f/ and short /ɪs/ to avoid slurring.
Is the final /s/ in Apophis always pronounced as a clear /s/ and not a /z/? Yes — in standard English, the final consonant is /s/ and not voiced /z/, matching the unvoiced nature of the word’s final consonant phoneme. Maintain voiceless sibilant quality; do not nasalize or vocalize the final s.
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- US: Stress on first syllable, /æ/ as short a vowel, /ɪ/ in final syllable is crisp. - UK: similar pattern, but vowels may be slightly longer and clipped; keep /p/ aspirated. - AU: broader /æ/ and a more centralized /ə/; maintain voiceless /s/ at end. Use IPA reference /ˈæpəˌfɪs/ as baseline, adjust to your natural vowel quality without losing consonant clarity.
Apophis is named after an ancient Egyptian deity associated with chaos and darkness. The asteroid was designated with the provisional name 2004 MN4 before receiving the permanent name Apophis from the discoverers, who proposed a mythological association. The word’s phonology in English follows standard Latin-script transliteration of the Greek-derived name A-po-phis, with the final -sis sound analogous to -sis in 'osis' but here pronounced as -phis (/ˈæpəˌfɪs/). The naming practice for asteroids often draws from mythological figures, giving a memorable identity that aligns with the object’s awe-inspiring celestial nature. The first recognized use of the asteroid name Apophis dates to 2004 upon its discovery announcement, with subsequent literature adopting the term in scientific papers and public outreach.
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Help others use "Apophis" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Apophis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Apophis" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Apophis"
-his sounds
-pis sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
