Pinyin

Pinyin is a Chinese system for transliterating Mandarin Chinese with 25 European

characters (the letter "v" is never used). The pronunciation of most of the letters is
similar to pronunciation to the European counterparts, but there are notable
differences. Pay special attention to the letters that are not pronounced entirely
as you'd expect: "c", "ch", "j", "q", "r", "sh", "x", "z" and "zh"!

In Chinese, each character corresponds to one syllable (which corresponds to a

part of an English word, and entire word or more than one word). Chinese syllables
consist of three elements: initial sound, final sound and tone. The initial sounds are
consonants and the final sounds contain at least one vowel. Some syllables consist
only of an initial sound or a final sound.

In Mandarin Chinese there are 21 initial sounds:

Voiceless Voiced
Unaspirated Aspirated Nasal
fricative fricative
Labial b p m f
Alveolar d t n l
Velar g k h
Palatal j q x
Dental sibilant z c s
Retroflex zh ch sh r

In Mandarin Chinese there are 35 final sounds:

6 simple finals: a, e, i, o, u, ü
13 compound finals: ai, ao, ei, ia, iao, ie, iou, ou, ua, uai, üe, uei, uo
8 front nasals: an, en, ian, in, uan, üan, uen, ün
16 nasal finals:
8 back nasals: ang, eng, iang, ing, iong, ong, uang, ueng

Additional syllables in Mandarin Chinese:

7 special cases: er, hm, hng, m, n, ng, ~r

The initial and final sounds make a total of 56 basic sounds. Combinations of initials
and finals plus the special cases result in 413 possible combinations. Applying the
four tones of Mandarin Chinese to this, we get a total of around 1,600 unique
syllables.

Unaspirated v/s aspirated consonants:

Aspiration means exhalation, a puff of air. In many European languages, the

difference between the sounds of "b/p", "d/t" and "g/k" is usually that the first in
each pair is voiced (i.e. you can feel you larynx "buzzing" when you pronounce
the letters) and the second not voiced (i.e. there is no "buzzing"). In Chinese the
difference between these consonant pairs is that the first in each pair is
unaspirated (i.e. you exhale very little) and the second is aspirated (i.e. you exhale
noticeably).

In Chinese we find the following pairs of the pairs of unaspirated/aspirated

consonants: "b/p", "d/t", "g/k", "j/q" and "z/c". Pay special attention to make the
difference clear when pronouncing these letters!

Unvoiced v/s voiced fricatives:

Fricative consonants are produced with articulatory restriction sufficient to

produced friction. A voiced fricative should cause your larynx to "buzz" (e.g. the
sounds "v" and "z" in English) and an unvoiced fricative will not affect your larynx
(e.g. English "f" and "s"). In Mandarin Chinese, the voiced fricatives are "l" and "r",
while the unvoiced fricatives are the "blowing" sounds "f", "h", "s", "sh" and "x".

Initial Sounds

Some Chinese consonants are rather similar to English consonants, but it's
important to hear the differences and get all details as accurate as possible!

Labial: a sound made with use of one or both your lips.

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
As in English, but with no vibrations in the vocal cords. Like an
b
English "p" with no exhalation!
p As in English, but with strong exhalation!
m As in English.
f As in English.
Alveolar: formed with the tip of the tongue against the bony ridge behind the
upper front teeth.

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
As in English, but with no vibrations in the vocal cords. Like an
d
English "t" with no exhalation!
t As in English, but with strong exhalation!
n As in English.
l As in English.

Velar: formed with the back of the tongue close to or touching the soft part of
the roof of the mouth.

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
As in English, but with no vibrations in the vocal cords. Like an
g
English "k" with no exhalation! As the "g" in "girl", "go".
k As in English, but with strong exhalation!
H Audible and strong!

Palatal: formed with the back and middle of the tongue close to or touching the
roof of the mouth.

The syllables "ji", "qi" and "xi" all contain similar "ch"-like sounds.

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
Sounds like the "dj"-sound in "jam", "jump", with minimal exhalation.
J
Similar to the Pinyin letter "q", but without exhalation!
Similar to the Pinyin letter "j", but with strong exhalation! As the
Q
ending sound in "watch", "switch" and the "ch" in "cheese".
Sounds like the English "ch" as in "church", but without the "t"-sound
X at the beginning. Also comparable with the "ch" in "chock". In some
Chinese dialects pronounced just as "s".

Dental sibilant: formed with the tip of the tongue close to or touching the back of
the upper front teeth.
Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
Pronounced as the Pinyin letters "d" + "s". Similar to the Pinyin letter
Z "c", but with no exhalation! Compare with English words such as
"cats", "hats".
Pronounced as the Pinyin letters "t" + "s". Similar to Pinyin "z", but with
C
strong exhalation! Comparable with the "tsh"-sound in "it's heavy".
S As in English.

Retroflex: formed with the tongue curled back so that it touches (or almost
touches) the hard part of the roof of the mouth.

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
In this sound, the tongue is thrown forward from the curled back
Zh
position. Rather similar to the "dj"-sound in "jam", "jewels", "George".
In this sound, the tongue is thrown forward from the curled back
Ch
position. Rather similar to the "tch"-sound in "church", "chain".
This sound is pronounced with the tongue resting in the curled back
Sh
position. Somewhat similar to the "sh"-sound in "wash", "shower".
This sound is pronounced with the tongue vibrating in the curled
R
back position. Somewhat similar to the "r"-sound in "war", "raw".

Other comments on initial letters in Mandarin Chinese:

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
As in English. Special case: the syllable "wu" is pronounced as the
w Pinyin "u" (the letter "w" is in this case used to mark the beginning of
a new syllable. See the following descriptions of simple finals!
As in the words "yes", "yet". Special cases: the syllable "yi is
pronounced as the Pinyin "i" #1 and the syllable "yu" is pronounced
y as the Pinyin "ü" (the letter "y" is in these cases used to mark the
beginning of new syllables). See the following descriptions of simple
finals!

Final Sounds
Simple finals = single vowels.

The Chinese vowels all have quite logical pronunciation, but there are some
details to be noted – especially the three types of "i", two types of "e" and two
types of "u"!

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
a As the "a" in "far" and "father".
1: As the English "e" in "send", "very.
2: If the "e" stands as a single vowel at the end of a syllable (e.g. "de",
"ne", "zhe"), the pronunciation becomes more similar to the vowel
e/ê sound in "bird" and "sir".
3: Note the special cases: "er" and "eng"!
Comment: If the "e" is the only phoneme in a syllable, pronunciation
of type #1 is transcribed as "ê", and pronunciation of type #2 as "e".
1: As the vowels in "sit", "it", "machine". The spelling "yi" is used when
there is no consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
2: When preceded by "c", "s" or "z" (dental sibilants), you get a sound
i / yi like a mosquito buzzing ("ziii...").
3: In the syllables "chi", "shi", "zhi" and "ri" (retroflexes), the entire
syllable is pronounced as one retroflex sound. Pronounce all letters
of the syllable with your tongue curled back!
As the vowels in "saw", "all". Exception: the combination "ong" (back
o
nasal)!
As the vowel "o" in "too", "woman", "loop". The spelling "wu" is used
when there is no consonant in the beginning of a syllable. Special
u / wu
cases: In syllables beginning with "ju", "qu", "xu" and "yu", the "u" is to
be pronounced as an "ü".
As the German "ü". Try to say "yeee", keep your tongue exactly
ü / yu where it is and let the sound continue while you form your lips to the
shape they'd have when you say "yuuu".

Compound finals = two or three vowels together.

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
ai As the "ai"-sounds in "byes", "bike", "high".
ao As the "ow" in "how", "down".
ei As the "ay"-sounds in "cake", "say".
 As the "ya"-sounds in "maya", "playa". The spelling "ya" is used when
ia / ya
there is no consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
As the "ya"-sounds in "maya", "playa" followed by an English "w". The
iao / yao spelling "yao" is used when there is no consonant in the beginning of
a syllable.
As a combination of the Pinyin sounds "y" + "ê" – i.e. NOT quite as the
ie / ye English "ye", as in "yes", but rather "tight"! The spelling "ye" is used when
there is no consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
The spelling "iou" is never used, but describes the sound best.
iou / iu / Pronounced as a Pinyin "y" + the English "ow"-sounds in "go", "note",
you "row". The spelling "you" is used when there is no consonant in the
beginning of a syllable.
ou As the "ow"-sounds in "go", "note", "row".
As an English "w" followed by a Pinyin "a". Compare with the final
vowels in the Italian word "acqua". The most probable English spelling
ua / wa of this sound would be "wah". Do NOTpronounce this combination as
the English "wa"-sounds in "water" or "Wales"! The spelling "wa" is used
when there is no consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
English "w" + Pinyin "ai". Compare with the English word "why". The
uai / wai spelling "wai" is used when there is no consonant in the beginning of
a syllable.
Pinyin "ü" + "ê". The "ü" is written as "u" in the syllables "jue", "que", "xue"
ue / üe /
and "yue". The spelling "yue" is used when there is no consonant in
yue
the beginning of a syllable.
The spelling "uei" is never used, but describes the sound best.
Compare with the initial sounds in "waiter", "wage". Try to pronounce
uei / ui /
the "ê", even if it is not explicitly written a syllable such as "hui". The
wei
spelling "wei" is used when there is no consonant in the beginning of
a syllable.
Sounds like "woah", but the "a" is hardly audible. Similar to the "wuo"-
uo / wo sounds in "war", "quark". The spelling "wo" is used when there is no
consonant in the beginning of a syllable.

Nasal finals = single or compound vowel followed by "n" or "ng".

Nasals are pronounced through the nose. In Mandarin Chinese, sounds ending in
"n" (an alveolar nasal) are known as front nasals, while sounds ending in
"ng (a velar nasal) are known as back nasals.
Front nasals = sounds through the nose formed with the tongue in the front of the
mouth (i.e. in alveolar position).

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
This "a" is similar to the Chinese "a" as described above. Can possibly
an be compared with the "an" in "Russian". Do NOT pronounce this
combination as the English "an" in "man" and "manager"!
"e" #2 + "n". Usually as the "en" in "men", but sometimes more similar
en
to the "urn" in "burning" or "fern" with practically no sound of the "r".
Pinyin "y" + "an", but here the "an" becomes broader, as in "man",
ian / yan "manager". The spelling "yan" is used when there is no consonant in
the beginning of a syllable.
As in English ("bin"). The spelling "yin" is used when there is no
in / yin
consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
Pinyin "u" + "an". In "juan", "quan", "xuan" and "yuan", the "u" is
uan / wan pronounced as "ü". The spelling "wan" is used when there is no
consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
Pinyin "ü" + "an", but here the "an" becomes broader, as in "man",
üan / yuan "manager". This sound occurs only in the syllables "juan", "quan",
"xuan" and "yuan", and is then spelled with a "u".
The spelling "uen" is never used, but describes the sound best. If a
syllable begins with a different consonant than "w", the
uen / un /
pronunciation is Pinyin "u" + an almost inaudible "e" #2 + "n". When
wen
there is no initial consonant, this sound is spelled "wen", and the
pronunciation is an English "w" + Pinyin "en".
Pinyin "ü" + "n". This sound occurs only in the syllables "jun", "qun", "xun"
ün / yun
and "yun", and is then spelled with a "u".

Back nasals = sounds through the nose formed with the tongue in the back of the
mouth (i.e. in velar position).

Mandarin
English Equivalent
Pinyin
This "a" is similar to the Chinese "a" as described above, followed by
ang an "ng"-sound. Do NOT pronounce this combination as the broad
"ang" in "language"!
"e" #2 + "ng" (almost similar to the "ang" in "language", but the "e" has
eng
a little "taste" of the vowel sound in "bird" and "sir").
iang / Pinyin "y" + "ang". The spelling "yang" is used when there is no
yang consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
As in English ("sing"). The spelling "ying" is used when there is no
ing / ying
consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
This syllable corresponds to the Pinyin "y" + "u" + "ng". The "o" is here
iong / most similar to the "o"-sound in "too", "woman", "loop". The spelling
yong "yong" is used when there is no consonant in the beginning of a
syllable.
This syllable corresponds to the Pinyin "u" + "ng". The "o" is here most
ong
similar to the "o"-sound in "too", "woman", "loop".
uang / English "w" + Pinyin "ang". The spelling "wang" is used when there is no
wang consonant in the beginning of a syllable.
ueng / This sound only occurs in the syllable "weng". Pronounced as English
weng "w" + Pinyin "eng".

Special Cases - additional syllables

Rather similar to the vowel sound in "bird" and "sir", with an audible retroflex
er "r" at the end. Sometimes more like the English word "are". Could possibly be
written as "ehr" in English. Pronounced as a retroflex.
hm Pronounced as in English. This syllable is only used as an interjection.
Pronounced as a Pinyin "h" + a back nasal. This syllable is only used as an
hng
interjection.
m Pronounced as in English. This syllable is only used as an interjection.
n Pronounced as in English. This syllable is only used as an interjection.
ng Pronounced as a back nasal. This syllable is only used as an interjection.
Sometimes the syllable "er" ( ) is added to the end of words – especially on
nouns. This is most common in Chinese spoken by people from Beijing. If the
" " is written in a text, and is to be interpreted as a suffix rather than "er2" =
"child", then the transcription is usually written only as "r" (e.g. "yi4 dian3r" =
~r
"a little"). Basically, this added "~r" changes the pronunciation of the
previous syllable, so that the entire final part of the syllable is pronounced
as a retroflex with an "~r" at the end. In short, the "~r" moves the
pronunciation of the syllable backwards in the mouth.
Chinese Phonetic Alphabet

The list below illustrates the Chinese phonetic alphabet (usually referred to as
"bopomofo"). Please note that the Pinyin-transcriptions (written with European
characters) are NOT pronounced according to European rules of pronunciation.
This alphabet is intended to be used to specify the pronunciation of Chinese
characters – you should avoid spelling European words with these characters!

Tones and Markings for Tones

In Chinese it is always very important to pronounce words with correct tone. In

transliterated Chinese, tone markings are written over the central vowels in most
syllables. Some syllables have no specific tone, and then no sign is put above any
vowel. In Mandarin Chinese there are four tones:
  The 1:st tone is marked with a line ("a" + "-" = "ā"). This is a high, even and
constant tone.
 The 2:nd tone is marked with a rising line ("a" + "´" = "á"). This is a rising tone
that grows stronger.
 The 3:rd tone is marked with a hook ("a" + "v" = "ă"). This tone is first falling
and fading, then rising and growing strong.
 The 4:th tone is marked with a falling line ("a" + "`" = "à"). This is a quickly
falling and fading tone.

In unstressed syllables the tone may be hardly noticeable. In such cases, no

marking is put above any vowel. You may regard this as "tone zero". The tone will
usually end up more or less where the previous syllable ended.

Sequences of Tones

When you pronounce a sequence of tones, the tones will not always remain the
same. The most common details to be noted are:

 The word "yi" (meaning "one") is usually of tone #1. However this word will
be pronounced with tone #2 when directly preceding a tone #4. It will be
pronounced with tone #4 when directly preceding a tone #2 or #3.
Example: "yi1 ge4" is pronounced as "yi2 ge4", while "yi1 ben3" is
pronounced as "yi4 ben3".
 The word "bu" (meaning "not") is usually of tone #4. However this word will
be pronounced with tone #2 when directly preceding a tone #4. Example:
"bu4 shi4" (meaning "is not") is pronounced as "bu2 shi4".
 Every syllable that is usually pronounced with tone #3, will turn into a tone
#2 when directly preceding another tone #3. This rule will apply for entire
sequences of words! Example: "liang3 ben3 shu1" (meaning "two books") is
pronounced as "liang2 ben3 shu1".
 If a sentence contains a long sequence of tones #3, the phrase may be
split into parts separated by a brief pause. Tones are then chosen within
each part of the sentence. Example: "wo3 xiang3 mai3 liang3 ben3 shu1"
(meaning "I want to buy two books") may be pronounced as "wo2 xiang2
mai3" + "liang2 ben3 shu1" rather than "wo2 xiang2 mai2 liang2 ben3 shu1"
(spoken without any pause!).