How many phonemes in the word persistent?

Let's break down the word "persistent" to count the phonemes:

* p - /p/

* er - /ɜːr/

* s - /s/

* i - /ɪ/

* s - /s/

* t - /t/

* e - /ɛ/

* n - /n/

* t - /t/

Therefore, there are 9 phonemes in the word "persistent."