Pronunciation and Pinyin Spelling

 

The Vowels or Simple Finals
 
Lip
Shape
Open
Pursed
Jaw
Position
Wide
a
o
Medium
e
u
Narrow
i
ü

 

 

 

 

Initial Sounds of Modern Standard Chinese
 
Air
Unaspirated
stop & release
Aspirated
stop & release
Nasals
Friction
Laterals
Mouth
Lip-formed
b
p
m
f
 

 

Tip of tongue/back of teeth
d
t
n
 

 

l
Back of tongue/soft palate
g
k
 

 

h
 

 

Blade of tongue/hard palate
j
q (ch)
 

 

x (sh)
 

 

Curled back of tongue
zh (j)
ch
 

 

sh
r
Hiss
z
c
 

 

s