Iontophoresis

Break it as: i-ON-to-fo-RE-sis. Primary stress on the third syllable ‘fo,’ with secondary stress on ‘i’ and final ‘sis’ heard less strongly in rapid speech. IPA: US ˌaɪ.ɒnˌtoʊ.fɔːˈriː.sɪs; UK ˌaɪ.ɒn.təˈfɔː.rə.sɪs; AU ˌaɪ.ɒn.təˈfɔː.riː.sɪs. Start with a clear ‘eye’ sound for i, then a light schwa-ish the-‘tə’ before the key ‘fo’ syllable, and finish with a crisp ‘sis.’ Audio reference: listen to medical pronunciation tutorials and Forvo entries connected to this term.

Two main pitfalls: 1) over-splitting the word with a heavy cantering ‘on-to-fo-RE-sis’ instead of a fluid i-on-TO-po-re-SIS feel. 2) Misplacing the primary stress too early (on ‘i’ or ‘on’) rather than on the third or last-named syllable ‘fo-RE-sis.’ Correct by practicing the sequence i-ON-to-fo-RE-sis and maintaining a light syllabic rhythm. IPA cues help: /ˌaɪ.ɒnˌtoʊ.fɔːˈriː.sɪs/ (US) vs /ˌaɪ.ɒn.təˈfɔː.rə.sɪs/ (UK). Keep the ‘fo’ crisp and the final ‘sis’ soft.

Across US/UK/AU, the vowels in ‘ion-’ behave similarly, but the key differences lie in the second syllable: US tends to a sharper ‘toʊ’ and a more rhotacized ending; UK uses a flatter ‘tə’ and a non-rhotic ending; AU often blends vowels and reduces some schwas, making the sequence ‘ontə фɔː.riː.sɪs’ to a more even, quicker cadence. In all variants, the main stress rests on the third or fourth syllable depending on the variety; listening to native medical lecturers in each region helps cement distinct vowel qualities.

Because it combines multiple phonemes not typically paired in everyday speech: a long /oʊ/ diphthong in ‘to-,’ a challenging cluster in ‘phore-’ with /fɔː/ in many accents, and a final /sɪs/ that requires precise syllable timing. The balance of three strong consonant clusters around a long vowel makes syllable timing tricky. Focus on the relaxed jaw for the diphthong, and the crisp, unvoiced /f/ before /ɔː/; practice with slow, controlled syllables and then increase tempo.

A distinctive feature is the sequence of unstressed vowels in the middle: i-ON-to-fɔː-RE-sis; speakers often reduce the second syllable to a light /ən/ or /ə/ in fast speech. Maintaining the primary stress on the third or fourth syllable while keeping surrounding vowels clear is crucial. Additionally, initial vowel quality ‘eye’ /aɪ/ is pronounced clearly, unlike many two-syllable terms where the first syllable reduces. This word rewards deliberate practice with slow, precise enunciation before speed.