4 syllables: Ri, fam, pi, cin. Stress on fam.
rif-AM-pis-in
/rɪˈfæmpɪsɪn/
Rifampicin is pronounced rif-AM-pis-in (/rɪˈfæmpɪsɪn/). It has four syllables (Ri-fam-pi-cin), with the stress on "fam". Rifampicin is a broad‑spectrum antibiotic used primarily to treat tuberculosis and some infections caused by gram‑positive bacteria. It is typically prescribed in combination with other drugs, and it works by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis. The term denotes a specific drug name, not a common noun, and is usually written with capitalized initial letters in medical contexts.
nounRifampicin is a broad‑spectrum antibiotic used primarily to treat tuberculosis and some infections caused by gram‑positive bacteria. It is typically prescribed in combination with other drugs, and it works by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis. The term denotes a specific drug name, not a common noun, and is usually written with capitalized initial letters in medical contexts.
How to Pronounce Rifampicin
"The patient was started on rifampicin as part of an anti‑tubercular regimen."
"Rifampicin can cause orange‑red body fluids as a side effect."
"The pharmacist checked that rifampicin was compatible with the other medications."
Rifampicin is pronounced ri‑FAM‑uh‑sihn, with the primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA: /ˌrɪˈmæpɪsɪn/. Break it into three parts: ri (short i), fam (like ‘fam’ with a clear m), pi (pronounce as puh‑si or sihn by final n). The emphasis naturally lands on the second syllable: ri‑FAM‑pi‑cin. If you’re teaching it, model slow pronunciation first, then speed up while maintaining the stress and vowel quality.
Common errors: misplacing the stress to the first syllable (ri‑FAMpih‑sin); pronouncing the second vowel as a long ‘ee’ (ri‑FAM‑pee‑sin) or elongating the final syllable. Correction: keep three clear syllables with short i in the first, a crisp short a in the second, and a soft i in the third. Emphasize the second syllable and end with a light, quick ‘sin’ rather than a drawn‑out ‘cin’. Use IPA cues /ˌrɪˈmæpɪsɪn/ to guide accuracy.
Across accents, the main variation is the vowel quality in the first syllable and the rhoticity. US and UK versions share /ˌrɪˈmæpɪsɪn/ with rhotic r when spoken in connected speech; Australia follows similar patterns but may feature a slightly more centralized vowel in the first syllable and faster rhythm. The second syllable remains the same, with a short ‘a’ followed by a schwa‑like or short ‘i’ in rapid speech. Emphasize the second syllable across all three to preserve meaning.
It challenges non‑native speakers due to the three‑syllable structure, the mid‑short vowels, and the cluster in the second half (m‑a‑p‑i). The combination of /ˌrɪ/ + /ˈmæ/ with an unstressed /pɪsɪn/ can cause mis‑timed syllable boundaries or a RUN‑on feel. Focus on dividing it into ri‑fam‑pi‑cin with a firm second syllable stress and crisp absences of vowel elongation in the ‘pi’ and final ‘sin’. IPA helps anchor precise articulation.
A unique point is the consonant cluster at the start of the second syllable: /m/ followed by /æ/ or /æ/ before /p/. It’s easy to slip into /riːmæpɪsɪn/ or merge syllables. Keep the second syllable clearly separate: fam (short a) and then pi (short i) with a light, quick ending: -sin. Using the IPA /ˌrɪˈmæpɪsɪn/ helps you avoid vowel drift and ensures you’re not accidentally lengthening the second syllable.
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Rifampicin derives from the rifamycin class of antibiotics. The name rifam‑ combines ‘Rifa-’ from rifamycin, a modern coinage linked to rifamycin’s origin in rifamycin SV and related compounds, with the suffix ‑mucin/‑cin typical of antibacterial agents. The term rifampicin entered English medical vocabulary in the mid‑20th century as rifamycin antibiotics were developed and tested for efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The root rif- itself traces to the Latin rifamento and to earlier stem forms rooted in rifam- from the German pharmacological tradition, though precise lineage depends on pharmaceutical branding and naming conventions. The word was popularized through clinical literature, drug labels, and pharmacology texts as TB treatment regimens incorporated rifamycins. First known uses appear in 1950s scientific papers documenting the compound’s antibacterial activity and later in drug compendia as Rifampicin or Rifampin (alternative spelling). Over time, Rifampicin has become the standard British English spelling for the drug, while Rifampin is common in American usage; both refer to the same antibiotic compound in the rifamycin family.
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Words that rhyme with "Rifampicin"
-ion sounds
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