How To Pronounce Mandarin Chinese Words
Understand the Most Challenging Pinyin Sounds
Most pinyin sounds are spoken like they are written, for example “fa” and “mao” , but there are many which are completely different and cause the most trouble. This is especially apparent in news or broadcasts, in which the broadcaster has to guess at the pronunciation of, for example, "xi", "zhi", "qi" and others.
Each Chinese word has a single syllable that is usually comprised of a consonant + vowel. For example. "m" + "ei" is "mei" and sounds like "may". "M" is equivalent to English, and "ei" is straightforward. However, "qi" is a puzzle, and it's pronunciation as "chee" is not natural. Following is a discussion of the consonants and vowels that are naturally similar to American English, and those that are not.
The comparative words used here are intended for pronunciation in a generic American accent, similar to that heard on mainstream media.
Consonants
These consonants are all equivalent to how they would sound in English:
b, p, m, f, d, t, n, l, g, k, h, and s.
These require the tongue behind the lower teeth:
- "J" as in "jeep";
- "Q" as in "cheap"; and
- "X" as in "she."
These require the tongue on the roof of the mouth:
- "Zh" like "j" in "germ";
- "Ch” as in “chin”; and
- “Sh” as in “sure.”
These require the front teeth to be touching, with the tongue directly behind:
- “Z” is an aspirated buzz like “tz” in “tzar”; and
- “C” like the “ts” in “its.”
Vowels
- "I" when preceded by all consonants except “z/zh”, “c/ch” or “s/sh” is pronounced "ee" as in “tee";
- “I” when preceded by “zh”, “ch” or “sh” is pronounced like “ir” as in “sir”; and
- “I” when preceded by “z”, “c” or “s” is pronounced like the “i” in “bit”;
- “U" like "moo" (a single sound and not “ee-yoo” such as the English pronunciation of “you”);
- “A" as in "ah";
- “E” like “fun”;
- “O” as in “oh”; and
- “Ü” as in “yule” (with the lips puckered and a distinct “ee-yoo” sound.)
Common Vowel and Final Combinations
Vowels can be combined, for example, “i” and “u” is simply written “iu” and is pronounced like “ee-oo.” “Finals” are consonants that are appended to a vowel. “N” and “ng” combine with all the vowels to make a self-explanatory sound.
- “An/Ang” has a “soft A” like “palm” and not “ang” like in “pang”;
- “On/Ong” has a “hard O” like “oh” and not like "song";
- “In” is “een” and not “inn”; and
- “Ian” is exactly like saying the letters “e.n.”
Commonly Mispronounced Sounds
“J, q, and x” all require the tongue firmly behind the lower teeth.
- “Ji” like “jeep” (without the “p”) or “gee”;
- “Qi” like “chee” (often pronounced incorrectly as “she” or “kee”);
- “Xi” like “she”;
- “Ju” like “d’you” but with the common “zh” sound for “d’y”, similar to “jew”;
- “Qu” like “chee-yoo” but spoken in one sound, not two;
- “Xu” like “she-yoo” but spoken in one sound, not two;
“Zh, ch and sh” all require the tongue to be firmly on the roof of the mouth. In fact, pronunciation is identical as the above, with the tongue placed differently. This looks and feels awkward, but is correct.
- “Zhu” like “joo”;
- “Chu” like “choo”;
- “Shu” like “shoo";
- “Zhi” like “ger” in “germ”;
- “Chi” like “chir” in “chirp”;
- “Shi” is identical to “sure”;
- “Zhang” like “g” from “germ” and “ong” from “song”; and
- “Zhong” like “Joan” with an “ng” final so “Joang”;
“Z and c” require the upper and lower incisors to be placed together, with the tongue directly behind.
- “Zi” like the “t zi” in “that zipper” but in one single sound; and
- “Ci” like “t’s i” in “that’s it” again in one single sound.
This is a limited list, but hopefully clears up some of the more perplexing transliterations found in Pinyin Chinese. Several websites exist, such as Pinyin Practice, among many, many others.
What do you think about this article?
Comments
More in Education & Career
Latest Articles