3 syllables: Phy, si, cian. Stress on si.
fuh-ZISH-uhn
/fəˈzɪʃən/
Physician is pronounced fuh-ZISH-uhn (/fəˈzɪʃən/). It has three syllables (Phy-si-cian), with the stress on "si". Physician is a medical professional who diagnoses and treats illnesses, usually with a degree in medicine. The term is commonly used for doctors and denotes formal training and licensure. In modern usage it often contrasts with other healthcare roles like nurses or physicians assistants, emphasizing medical expertise and clinical authority.
nounPhysician is a medical professional who diagnoses and treats illnesses, usually with a degree in medicine. The term is commonly used for doctors and denotes formal training and licensure. In modern usage it often contrasts with other healthcare roles like nurses or physicians assistants, emphasizing medical expertise and clinical authority.
"The physician prescribed a course of antibiotics after reviewing the test results."
"She consulted a renowned physician to discuss her chronic headaches."
"The physician explained the risks and benefits of the procedure to the patient."
You say /fɪˈzɪʃən/ with three syllables. The primary stress is on the second syllable (zy-). Start with the short i as in “fit,” then a voiced z sound, followed by a short i again, and end with a schwa and n. Mouth positions: lips relaxed, tongue high-front for /ɪ/, then a light /z/ vibration, followed by /ɪ/ again before a neutral /ə/ and final /n/. Try: Fi-ZI-shun. Audio reference: you can compare with standard dictionaries or pronunciation tools for IPA accuracy.
Common errors: 1) Stress misplacement, saying /fɪˈzɪʃən/ with stress on the first syllable (fi-ZI-shun wrong). 2) Slurring the /ʃ/ into /s/ or mispronouncing /ʒ/ as /ʃ/; aim for a clear /ʃ/ as in 'ship' but longer. 3) Veering toward /fi/ or over-pronouncing the second vowel; keep the second vowel as short /ɪ/. Correct by exaggerating the two-stress syllables in isolation, then slowly integrating into fluent speech.
US, UK, and AU share /fɪˈzɪʃən/, but subtle differences exist: US tends toward a slightly tighter /ɪ/ and a stronger rhoticity in connected speech, UK often features a clearer /ɪ/ and lighter /r/ influence in some speakers, and AU generally aligns with UK phonology but with a flatter vowel quality and reduced r-sound in non-rhotic positions. All maintain the /ɪ/ vowels and final schwa in most dialects, but the consonants around may be softer or crisper depending on region.
The difficulty lies in the unstressed schwa ending and the /z/ followed by a short /ɪ/ then /ʃ/ cluster. People often misplace the stress or turn the /ʃən/ into /ʃən/ with a prolonged vowel. Practice by isolating the three syllables Fi-zi-tion with emphasis on the middle syllable; ensure the /z/ is voiced and the /ʃ/ is clean, not blended with /s/. IPA cues and mouth positioning help you lock the rhythm.
Is the 'ci' in physician pronounced as /zɪ/ or /zɪ/ in many dialects, and how does the /z/ interact with the following /ɪ/? In practice, the phoneme sequence is /fɪ/ + /ˈzɪ/ + /ʃən/. The /z/ is a voiced alveolar fricative that directly precedes /ɪ/, which then merges into the /ʃ/; keep the /z/ crisp without adding a vowel between /z/ and /ɪ/ beyond the intended /ɪ/.
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Physician comes from the Old French physicien, from Medieval Latin physicius, which itself derives from Greek iatroke, meaning healer or physician. The term evolved in Latin to denote a medical practitioner who practices medicine, distinct from surgeons or philosophers. In Middle English, physician entered via Anglo-Norman and French influences as a specialized title for medical doctors. The modern English usage settled to refer to a licensed medical doctor who practices medicine, typically with a formal degree. The word’s pronunciation in English areas developed a stress pattern on the second syllable (fɪˈzɪʃən), aligning with other medical terms that have a similar two-syllable rhythm. First known use in English texts appears in late medieval to early modern medical literature, reflecting the codification of professional medical roles in English-speaking societies.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Physician" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Physician" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Physician" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Physician"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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