The spelling of the word "quist" may seem unusual, but it can be easily explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced like "kwest" with a /kw/ consonant cluster, representing the consonants q and u together. The second syllable is pronounced like "st," with a simple /s/ sound followed by the letter t. So, the correct spelling "quist" accurately reflects the word's pronunciation.