The spelling of the word "leong" is relatively simple, as it contains only five letters. However, its unusual phonetic pronunciation may be confusing for some. The IPA transcription for "leong" is /liːɑŋ/. The "l" is pronounced with the tongue pressing against the roof of the mouth, while the "i" is a long vowel sound. The "ɑ" is pronounced with an open mouth and the tongue lowered slightly, while the "ŋ" is a nasal sound produced by the back of the tongue and the soft palate.