Pinyin is a system for romanizing Chinese characters, meaning it uses the Latin alphabet to represent the sounds of Mandarin Chinese. It's incredibly helpful for beginners because:
Pronunciation: It teaches you the correct pronunciation of Chinese words, including the tones, which are crucial in Mandarin.
Reading: Before you can recognize thousands of Hanzi, Pinyin allows you to read and understand Chinese text.
Typing: Pinyin is the most common input method for typing Chinese characters on computers and phones.
Foundation: It lays a solid foundation for learning vocabulary and grammar.
While you'll eventually want to recognise Hanzi directly, Pinyin provides an essential bridge to get there.
Here's a list of commonly used Pinyin initials and finals common combinations.
Common Pinyin Initial-Final Combinations
b + a = ba
Example: 八 (bā - eight)
Sound: Like "bah" in "banana"
p + i = pi
Example: 皮 (pí - skin)
Sound: Like "pee" in "sleepy"
m + a = ma
Example: 妈 (mā - mom)
Sound: Like "mah" in "mama"
f + o = fo
Example: 佛 (fó - Buddha)
Sound: Like "faw" in "dawn"
d + e = de
Example: 的 (de - possessive particle)
Sound: Like "duh" in "duh"
t + ai = tai
Example: 太 (tài - too, very)
Sound: Like "tie" in "tie"
n + i = ni
Example: 你 (nǐ - you)
Sound: Like "nee" in "knee"
l + e = le
Example: 乐 (lè - happy/music)
Sound: Like "luh"
g + ao = gao
Example: 高 (gāo - tall/high)
Sound: Like "gow" in "cow"
k + ai = kai
Example: 开 (kāi - open)
Sound: Like "kigh" in "kite"
h + ao = hao
Example: 好 (hǎo - good)
Sound: Like "how" in "how"
j + ia = jia
Example: 家 (jiā - home/family)
Sound: Like "jee-ah" (soft 'j')
q + i = qi
Example: 七 (qī - seven)
Sound: Like "chee" (soft 'ch')
x + ie = xie
Example: 谢 (xiè - thank)
Sound: Like "shee-eh" (soft 'sh')
zh + ong = zhong
Example: 中 (zhōng - middle/China)
Sound: Like "jong" (retroflex 'j')
ch + i = chi
Example: 吃 (chī - eat)
Sound: Like "chur" (retroflex 'ch', no "ee" sound)
sh + i = shi
Example: 是 (shì - to be)
Sound: Like "shur" (retroflex 'sh', no "ee" sound)
r + en = ren
Example: 人 (rén - person)
Sound: Like "run" but with a retroflex 'r'
z + ao = zao
Example: 早 (zǎo - early)
Sound: Like "dzow" (as in "beds-ow")
c + ai = cai
Example: 菜 (cài - vegetable)
Sound: Like "tsai" (as in "cats-eye")
s + i = si
Example: 四 (sì - four)
Sound: Like "suh" (no "ee" sound, just a buzzy 's')
y + u = yu (Note:
uhere is actuallyü)Example: 鱼 (yú - fish)
Sound: Like "yoo" (with rounded lips, like French "lune")
w + o = wo
Example: 我 (wǒ - I/me)
Sound: Like "waw" in "want"
b + u = bu
Example: 不 (bù - no/not)
Sound: Like "boo" in "book"
m + ei = mei
Example: 没 (méi - not have)
Sound: Like "may" in "may"
d + ong = dong
Example: 东 (dōng - east)
Sound: Like "dong" in "dong" (bell sound)
t + ian = tian
Example: 天 (tiān - sky/day)
Sound: Like "tee-en"
n + eng = neng
Example: 能 (néng - can/be able to)
Sound: Like "nung" in "rung"
l + iang = liang
Example: 两 (liǎng - two (of something))
Sound: Like "lee-ang"
g + uo = guo
Example: 国 (guó - country)
Sound: Like "gwor"
k + an = kan
Example: 看 (kàn - to look/read)
Sound: Like "kahn"
h + ui = hui
Example: 会 (huì - can/will/meeting)
Sound: Like "hway"
j + ue = jue (Note:
uhere is actuallyü)Example: 觉 (jué - to feel)
Sound: Like "joo-eh" (with rounded lips for the 'u')
q + ing = qing
Example: 请 (qǐng - please)
Sound: Like "ching"
x + uan = xuan (Note:
uhere is actuallyü)Example: 选 (xuǎn - to choose)
Sound: Like "syoo-an" (with rounded lips for the 'u')
zh + ao = zhao
Example: 找 (zhǎo - to look for)
Sound: Like "jaow" (retroflex 'j')
ch + ou = chou
Example: 丑 (chǒu - ugly)
Sound: Like "choe" (retroflex 'ch')
sh + ui = shui
Example: 水 (shuǐ - water)
Sound: Like "shway" (retroflex 'sh')
r + ou = rou
Example: 肉 (ròu - meat)
Sound: Like "roe" (retroflex 'r')
z + eng = zeng
Example: 曾 (zēng - once/ever)
Sound: Like "dzung" (as in "beds-ung")
c + en = cen
Example: 层 (céng - layer)
Sound: Like "tsun" (as in "cats-un")
s + ui = sui
Example: 岁 (suì - year (age))
Sound: Like "sway"
y + an = yan
Example: 烟 (yān - smoke)
Sound: Like "yen"
w + ei = wei
Example: 为 (wèi - for/because of)
Sound: Like "way"
Important Notes for Practice:
Remember to add the correct tones when practicing full words!
Retroflex Sounds (zh, ch, sh, r): Check previous podcast: These are common and can be tricky. Practice curling your tongue back slightly, but not touching the roof of your mouth.
Palatal Sounds (j, q, x): These are like softer versions of 'j', 'ch', 'sh'. Your tongue should be flatter against the roof of your mouth.
The 'i' after z, c, s, zh, ch, sh, r: This 'i' sound is not like the English "ee." It's more of a buzzy, unrounded vowel.
The
üsound: This is crucial. Make an "ee" sound and then round your lips tightly.
The best way to master these sounds is through consistent listening and imitation. Don't just drill individual letters; try to put them together in syllables and words right away, like examples above.
Ditch Your Mandarin Fear. Speak Confidently.
Tired of mispronouncing words or fumbling with tones? Your fear of speaking Mandarin ends now!
My proven system will transform your speech in just 10 lessons. We're talking pure speech training, zero grammar headaches.
Ready to finally own your Mandarin? Book your lessons today on my website!
Plus, we're supercharging your learning! Your lessons come with a full year of paid Substack membership and All-In-One Resources, maximizing your access to invaluable tools.
Cheers
Selina
Intonation Coach
Classy Mandarin
Share this post