3 syllables: lan, tha, num. Stress on lan.
/ˈlænθənəm/
Say it backLanthanum is a chemical element with symbol La and atomic number 57. It is a soft, silvery-metal that tarnishes slowly in air and is used in catalysts and batteries. In science contexts, lanthanum is often discussed among lanthanides as a rare-earth metal with notable electronic configurations and applications.
"The lanthanum content in the mineral sample indicated a high purity of the rare-earth metal."
"Researchers added lanthanum to the alloy to improve its corrosion resistance."
"Lanthanum is commonly found in neodymium magnets as part of the lanthanide series."
You say LAN-thə-nəm, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈlænθənəm/. The middle syllable has a reduced schwa in many casual contexts, giving LAN-thə-nəm. When teaching or presenting, articulate the th as in three, with the tongue between the teeth. The final -um is pronounced with a short, unstressed vowel; keep lips relaxed.
Common errors: misplacing stress (e.g., laN-THAN-um) and mispronouncing the 'th' as a d or t sound (LA-NT-AN-um). Also, the final -um can sound like -um in ‘hum,’ which is too weak; instead, maintain a light but clear final syllable with a short schwa. Practice the sequence LAN-thə-nəm, with the th as in ‘both,’ not ‘t.’
US/UK/AU share the /ˈlænθənəm/ pattern, but rhoticity matters more in US: you’ll hear a slightly stronger rhotic vowel in the second syllable; UK and AU typically have a more clipped second syllable with less rhotic influence. The initial /æ/ remains consistent, and the /θ/ sound is dental across accents. Gentle vowel reduction may occur in rapid speech: LAN-thə-nəm.
Two main challenges: the /θ/ (th) sound, which many non-native speakers substitute with /s/ or /t/; and the unexpected schwa in the middle syllable, which can become a full vowel if not reduced. Also, keeping the final unstressed -um distinct from -ham or -um in other words requires careful mouth tension management. Focus on dental /θ/ and a light, quick middle vowel.
A practical tip is to practice with minimal pairs that contrast the first and second syllables, emphasizing the dental fricative /θ/ and the unstressed mid syllable. Use a mirror to ensure the teeth gently touch for /θ/ and the tongue rests lightly behind the upper teeth for the schwa. Record yourself saying LAN-thən-əm and compare with a native pronunciation.
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Lanthanum derives from the Greek lana, meaning ‘to lie hidden,’ and from the name lanthanos, meaning ‘to lie hidden or hidden one,’ tied to the element’s late discovery among rare-earth minerals. The term lanthanum was first used in the early 1830s by Swedish chemist Lars Fredrik Nilsson (actually from the Greek ‘lanthanein,’ to lie hidden). The element was later isolated and classified in the lanthanide group because its common oxidation state of +3 mirrors neighboring elements in the series. The historical label ‘lanthanoid’ emerged to describe the metallic series within the f-block, with lanthanum often used as a baseline or representative member before cerium and the other lanthanides. In usage and nomenclature, lanthanum’s place in the periodic table has evolved as chemists refined the definition of the lanthanide series and f-block elements, but its core meaning as a soft, reactive rare-earth metal has remained consistent since its discovery and isolation in the 19th century.
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Words that rhyme with "lanthanum"
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