The spelling of the word "liow" can be tricky to decipher using traditional English phonics, but the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can help. The word is actually pronounced as /li.ɑʊ/, with the first syllable sounding like "lee" and the second sounding like "ow" as in "ouch." The combination of the "l" and "i" sounds is what makes this word challenging to spell, but once you know the correct pronunciation, it becomes easier to understand and remember.