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IPA-Based Mandarin Pronunciation Course

Welcome to the systematic guide to Mandarin pronunciation using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). As an English speaker, relying on Romanized spelling (like Pinyin) can be misleading because letters often represent different sounds than they do in English. IPA provides an unambiguous, universal standard to master Mandarin phonetics.

Part 1: The Mandarin Sound Structure and Tones

Mandarin syllables consist of an Initial (consonant), a Final (vowel or vowel+nasal), and a Tone.

The 4 Lexical Tones & Neutral Tone

Mandarin is a tonal language. The pitch contour of a syllable changes its lexical meaning entirely.

  1. First Tone (High Level / 55): [ ˉ ]
    • Description: High, flat, and sustained pitch. Like singing a high note or saying “Ahhh” at the doctor.
  2. Second Tone (High Rising / 35): [ ˊ ]
    • Description: Starts mid-range and rises sharply. Sounds like an English question: “What?!” or “Huh?”.
  3. Third Tone (Low Dipping / 214): [ ˇ ]
    • Description: Drops to the bottom of your vocal range, then rises slightly. In continuous speech, it usually just stays low (211). Like a low, vocal-fry “Well…”.
  4. Fourth Tone (High Falling / 51): [ ˋ ]
    • Description: Starts very high and drops sharply to the bottom. Sounds like a firm, angry command: “No!” or “Stop!”.
  5. Neutral Tone (Short/Atonic): [ No mark ]
    • Description: Short, light, and de-stressed. Its pitch depends on the syllable before it. Like the unaccented syllable in English “report”.

Part 2: Initials (聲母)

Mandarin has 21 consonant initials. We categorize them by their articulation manner and place, contrasting aspirated vs. unaspirated pairs.

1. Bilabial & Labiodental Stops and Nasals (雙唇與唇齒音)

Pinyin: b → IPA: [p]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Unaspirated voiceless bilabial stop. This is NOT the English voiced [b]. It sounds like the “p” in English “spit” or “speed” (no burst of air). Hold a piece of paper in front of your mouth; it should not move.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 爸爸 (bàba) [pa˥˩pa] — Dad / Father
    2. 包子 (bāozi) [pɑʊ̯˥˥dz̥z̩] — Steamed bun
    3. 杯子 (bēizi) [peɪ̯˥˥dz̥z̩] — Cup / Glass
    4. 白天 (báitiān) [paɪ̯˧˥tʰjɛn˥˥] — Daytime
    5. 報紙 (bàozhǐ) [pɑʊ̯˥˩ʈʂʐ̩˨˩˦] — Newspaper
    6. 半年 (bànnián) [pan˥˩njɛn˧˥] — Half a year
    7. 筆記 (bǐjì) [pi˨˩˦tɕi˥˩] — Notes
    8. 跑步 (pǎobù) [pʰɑʊ̯˨˩˦pu˥˩] — To run
    9. 變色 (biànsè) [pjɛn˥˩sɤ˧˥] — To change color
    10. 幫忙 (bāngmáng) [pɑŋ˥˥maŋ˧˥] — To help

Pinyin: p → IPA: [pʰ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Aspirated voiceless bilabial stop. Identical to the English “p” in “pit” or “pie”. A strong burst of air must follow the release. The paper in front of your mouth should move violently.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 蘋果 (píngguǒ) [pʰiŋ˧˥kwɔ˨˩˦] — Apple
    2. 朋友 (péngyou) [pʰəŋ˧˥joʊ̯] — Friend
    3. 便宜 (piányi) [pʰjɛn˧˥ji] — Cheap / Inexpensive
    4. 爬山 (páshān) [pʰa˧˥ʂan˥˥] — To hike / Mountain climbing
    5. 皮鞋 (píxié) [pʰi˧˥ɕjɛ˧˥] — Leather shoes
    6. 啤酒 (píjiǔ) [pʰi˧˥tɕjoʊ̯˨˩˦] — Beer
    7. 破產 (pòchǎn) [pʰwɔ˥˩tʂʰan˨˩˦] — To go bankrupt
    8. 偏心 (piānxīn) [pʰjɛn˥˥ɕin˥˥] — Biased / Partial
    9. 胖子 (pàngzi) [pʰɑŋ˥˩dz̥z̩] — Fat person (colloquial)
    10. 拍照 (pāizhào) [pʰaɪ̯˥˥ʈʂɑʊ̯˥˩] — To take a photo

Pinyin: m → IPA: [m]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiced bilabial nasal. Identical to English “m” in “mother” or “map”. Air flows entirely through the nasal cavity.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 媽媽 (māma) [ma˥˥ma] — Mom / Mother
    2. 貓咪 (māomī) [mɑʊ̯˥˥mi˥˥] — Cat / Kitty
    3. 麵包 (miànbāo) [mjɛn˥˩pɑʊ̯˥˥] — Bread
    4. 明天 (míngtiān) [miŋ˧˥tʰjɛn˥˥] — Tomorrow
    5. 馬路 (mǎlù) [ma˨˩˦lu˥˩] — Road / Street
    6. 門口 (ménkǒu) [mən˧˥kʰoʊ̯˨˩˦] — Doorway / Entrance
    7. 買單 (mǎidān) [maɪ̯˨˩˦tan˥˥] — To pay the bill
    8. 密碼 (mìmǎ) [mi˥˩ma˨˩˦] — Password
    9. 免費 (miǎnfèi) [mjɛn˨˩˦feɪ̯˥˩] — Free of charge
    10. 麻煩 (máfan) [ma˧˥fan] — Troublesome / Trouble

Pinyin: f → IPA: [f]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiceless labiodental fricative. Identical to English “f” in “fast” or “fox”. Upper teeth touch the lower lip.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 飯店 (fàndiàn) [fan˥˩tjɛn˥˩] — Hotel / Restaurant
    2. 飛機 (fēijī) [feɪ̯˥˥tɕi˥˥] — Airplane
    3. 方便 (fāngbiàn) [fɑŋ˥˥pjɛn˥˩] — Convenient
    4. 房間 (fángjiān) [fɑŋ˧˥tɕjɛn˥˥] — Room
    5. 分享 (fēnxiǎng) [fən˥˥ɕjɑŋ˨˩˦] — To share
    6. 法律 (fǎlǜ) [fa˨˩˦ly˥˩] — Law
    7. 翻譯 (fānyì) [fan˥˥ji˥˩] — To translate / Translation
    8. 發現 (fāxiàn) [fan˥˥ɕjɛn˥˩] — To discover
    9. 風扇 (fēngshàn) [fəŋ˥˥chan˥˩] — Electric fan
    10. 父親 (fùqīn) [fu˥˩tɕʰin˥˥] — Father (formal)

2. Alveolar Stops & Nasals (舌尖中音 / 齒齦音)

Pinyin: d → IPA: [t]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Unaspirated voiceless alveolar stop. This is NOT the English voiced [d]. It sounds exactly like the “t” in English “start” or “stop”. Tongue tip contacts the alveolar ridge, releases without air breath.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 電腦 (diànnǎo) [tjɛn˥˩nɑʊ̯˨˩˦] — Computer
    2. 地圖 (dìtú) [ti˥˩tʰu˧˥] — Map
    3. 東西 (dōngxi) [tʊŋ˥˥ɕi] — Thing / Object
    4. 電視 (diànshì) [tjɛn˥˩ʂʐ̩˥˩] — Television
    5. 點心 (diǎnxīn) [tjɛn˨˩˦ɕin˥˥] — Dim sum / Dessert
    6. 大學 (dàxué) [ta˥˩ɕɥɛ˧˥] — University
    7. 蛋糕 (dàngāo) [tan˥˩kɑʊ̯˥˥] — Cake
    8. 電話 (diànhuà) [tjɛn˥˩xwa˥˩] — Telephone
    9. 地鐵 (dìtiě) [ti˥˩tʰjɛ˨˩˦] — Subway / Metro
    10. 等待 (děngdài) [təŋ˨˩˦taɪ̯˥˩] — To wait

Pinyin: t → IPA: [tʰ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Aspirated voiceless alveolar stop. Identical to English “t” in “top” or “tall”. Strong puff of air when released.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 天氣 (tiānqì) [tʰjɛn˥˥tɕʰi˥˩] — Weather
    2. 太陽 (tàiyáng) [tʰaɪ̯˥˩jaŋ˧˥] — Sun
    3. 糖果 (tángguǒ) [tʰɑŋ˧˥kwɔ˨˩˦] — Candy
    4. 體育 (tǐyù) [tʰi˨˩˦jy˥˩] — Physical education / Sports
    5. 跳舞 (tiàowǔ) [tʰjɑʊ̯˥˩u˨˩˦] — To dance
    6. 填空 (tiánkòng) [tʰjɛn˧˥kʰʊŋ˥˩] — Fill in the blanks
    7. 痛苦 (tòngkǔ) [tʰʊŋ˥˩kʰu˨˩˦] — Pain / Painful
    8. 頭痛 (tóutòng) [tʰoʊ̯˧˥tʰʊŋ˥˩] — Headache
    9. 討論 (tǎolùn) [tǎolùn] [tʰɑʊ̯˨˩˦lwən˥˩] — To discuss
    10. 特別 (tèbié) [tʰɤ˥˩pje˧˥] — Special / Especially

Pinyin: n → IPA: [n]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiced alveolar nasal. Identical to English “n” in “no” or “night”.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 牛奶 (niúnǎi) [njoʊ̯˧˥naɪ̯˨˩˦] — Milk
    2. 男生 (nánshēng) [nan˧˥ʂəŋ˥˥] — Boy / Male student
    3. 那裡 (nàlǐ) [na˥˩li˨˩˦] — Over there
    4. 南邊 (nánbiān) [nan˧˥pjɛn˥˥] — South side
    5. 努力 (nǔlì) [nu˨˩˦li˥˩] — Hardworking / Diligent
    6. 女兒 (nǚ’ér) [ny˨˩˦aɚ̯˧˥] — Daughter
    7. 年輕 (niánqīng) [njɛn˧˥tɕʰiŋ˥˥] — Young
    8. 鳥類 (niǎolèi) [njɑʊ̯˨˩˦leɪ̯˥˩] — Birds
    9. 內容 (nèiróng) [neɪ̯˥˩ʐʊŋ˧˥] — Content
    10. 農村 (nóngcūn) [nʊŋ˧˥tsʰwən˥˥] — Countryside / Village

Pinyin: l → IPA: [l]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant. Identical to English “l” in “light” or “love”. Keep the tongue light; do not use the dark velarized [ɫ] found at the end of English words like “ball“.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 老師 (lǎoshī) [laʊ̯˨˩˦ʂʐ̩˥˥] — Teacher
    2. 綠色 (lǜsè) [ly˥˩sɤ˥˩] — Green
    3. 歷史 (lìshǐ) [li˥˩ʂʐ̩˨˩˦] — History
    4. 禮物 (lǐwù) [li˨˩˦u˥˩] — Gift / Present
    5. 旅遊 (lǚyóu) [ly˨˩˦joʊ̯˧˥] — To travel
    6. 老公 (lǎogōng) [laʊ̯˨˩˦kʊŋ˥˥] — Husband
    7. 藍色 (lánsè) [lan˧˥sɤ˥˩] — Blue
    8. 離職 (lízhí) [li˧˥ʈʂʐ̩˧˥] — To resign from work
    9. 聊天 (liáotiān) [ljaʊ̯˧˥tʰjɛn˥˥] — To chat
    10. 鄰居 (línjū) [lin˧˥tɕy˥˥] — Neighbor

3. Velar Stops & Fricatives (舌根音)

Pinyin: g → IPA: [k]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Unaspirated voiceless velar stop. This is NOT the English voiced [g]. It sounds like the “k” in English “skate” or “sky”. Back of the tongue raises against the soft palate. No puff of air.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 哥哥 (gēge) [kɤ˥˥kɤ] — Older brother
    2. 工作 (gōngzuò) [kʊŋ˥˥tswɔ˥˩] — Work / Job
    3. 公園 (gōngyuán) [kʊŋ˥˥ɥɛn˧˥] — Park
    4. 乾淨 (gānjìng) [kan˥˥tɕiŋ˥˩] — Clean
    5. 故事 (gùshi) [ku˥˩ʂʐ̩] — Story
    6. 規律 (guīlǜ) [kweɪ̯˥˥ly˥˩] — Regular pattern
    7. 購物 (gòuwù) [koʊ̯˥˩u˥˩] — Shopping
    8. 國家 (guójiā) [kwɔ˧˥tɕja˥˥] — Country / Nation
    9. 高興 (gāoxìng) [kɑʊ̯˥˥ɕiŋ˥˩] — Happy
    10. 蘋果 (píngguǒ) [pʰiŋ˧˥kwɔ˨˩˦] — Apple

Pinyin: k → IPA: [kʰ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Aspirated voiceless velar stop. Identical to English “k” in “kite” or “cat”. Pronounced with a strong release of breath.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 咖啡 (kāfēi) [kʰa˥˥feɪ̯˥˥] — Coffee
    2. 開心 (kāixīn) [kʰaɪ̯˥˥ɕin˥˥] — Happy / Joyful
    3. 考試 (kǎoshì) [kʰɑʊ̯˨˩˦ʂʐ̩˥˩] — Exam / Test
    4. 課本 (kèběn) [kʰɤ˥˩pən˨˩˦] — Textbook
    5. 空氣 (kōngqì) [kʰʊŋ˥˥tɕʰi˥˩] — Air
    6. 褲子 (kùzi) [kʰu˥˩dz̥z̩] — Pants / Trousers
    7. 困難 (kùnnan) [kʰwən˥˩nan] — Difficult / Difficulty
    8. 哭泣 (kūqì) [kʰu˥˥tɕʰi˥˩] — To weep / Cry
    9. 科學 (kēxué) [kʰɤ˥˥ɕɥɛ˧˥] — Science
    10. 口罩 (kǒuzhào) [kʰoʊ̯˨˩˦ʈʂɑʊ̯˥˩] — Face mask

Pinyin: h → IPA: [x]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiceless velar fricative. This is rougher than the English soft glottal [h] in “hat”. It is produced by friction between the back of the tongue and the soft palate, similar to the Scottish “ch” in “loch” or German “Bach“, but gentler.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 漢語 (hànyǔ) [xan˥˩jy˨˩˦] — Chinese language
    2. 好看 (hǎokàn) [xaʊ̯˨˩˦kʰan˥˩] — Good-looking / Beautiful
    3. 火車 (huǒchē) [xwɔ˨˩˦ʈʂʰɤ˥˥] — Train
    4. 歡迎 (huānyíng) [xwan˥˥jiŋ˧˥] — Welcome
    5. 花園 (huāyuán) [xwan˥˥ɥɛn˧˥] — Garden
    6. 壞人 (huàirén) [xwaɪ̯˥˩ʐən˧˥] — Bad person
    7. 盒子 (hézi) [xɤ˧˥dz̥z̩] — Box / Case
    8. 害怕 (hàipà) [xaɪ̯˥˩pʰa˥˩] — To be afraid
    9. 喝酒 (hējiǔ) [xɤ˥˥tɕjoʊ̯˨˩˦] — To drink alcohol
    10. 護照 (hùzhào) [xu˥˩ʈʂɑʊ̯˥˩] — Passport

4. Alveolar Sibilant Affricates & Fricatives (舌尖前音 / 平舌音)

These are dental/alveolar sounds produced near the back of the front upper teeth.

Pinyin: z → IPA: [ts]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Unaspirated voiceless alveolar affricate. Sounds like the combined “ts” sound in English “cats” or “mats“, but placed at the beginning of a syllable. Do not add air.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 早上 (zǎoshang) [tsaʊ̯˨˩˦ʂaŋ] — Early morning
    2. 再見 (zàijiàn) [tsaɪ̯˥˩tɕjɛn˥˩] — Goodbye
    3. 漢字 (hànzì) [xan˥˩tsɨ˥˩] — Chinese character
    4. 自己 (zìjǐ) [tsɨ˥˩tɕi˨˩˦] — Oneself
    5. 字典 (zìdiǎn) [tsɨ˥˩tjɛn˨˩˦] — Dictionary
    6. 足球 (zúqiú) [tsu˧˥tɕʰjoʊ̯˧˥] — Soccer / Football
    7. 增加 (zēngjiā) [tsəŋ˥˥tɕja˥˥] — To increase
    8. 租房 (zūfáng) [tsu˥˥fɑŋ˧˥] — To rent an apartment
    9. 糟糕 (zāogāo) [tsɑʊ̯˥˥kɑʊ̯˥˥] — Terrible / Awful
    10. 走路 (zǒulù) [tsoʊ̯˨˩˦lu˥˩] — To walk

Pinyin: c → IPA: [tsʰ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Aspirated voiceless alveolar affricate. Identical to the “ts” in English “untsar” or “its hot”, delivered with an intensive burst of air.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 菜單 (càidān) [tsʰaɪ̯˥˩tan˥˥] — Menu
    2. 廁所 (cèsuǒ) [tsʰɤ˥˩swɔ˨˩˦] — Toilet / Restroom
    3. 次數 (cìshù) [tsʰɨ˥˩ʂu˥˩] — Number of times / Frequency
    4. 聰明 (cōngmíng) [tsʰʊŋ˥˥miŋ˧˥] — Smart / Intelligent
    5. 參加 (cānjiā) [tsʰan˥˥tɕja˥˥] — To participate
    6. 草地 (cǎodì) [tsʰaʊ̯˨˩˦ti˥˩] — Lawn / Grassland
    7. 詞典 (cídiǎn) [tsʰɨ˧˥tjɛn˨˩˦] — Dictionary
    8. 從前 (cóngqián) [tsʰʊŋ˧˥tɕʰjɛn˧˥] — Once upon a time / In the past
    9. 錯誤 (cuòwù) [tsʰwɔ˥˩u˥˩] — Mistake / Error
    10. 刺激 (cìjī) [tsʰsɨ˥˩tɕi˥˥] — Exciting / Stimulating

Pinyin: s → IPA: [s]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiceless alveolar fricative. Identical to English “s” in “sun” or “sit”.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 司機 (sījī) [sɨ˥˥tɕi˥˥] — Driver
    2. 三天 (sāntiān) [san˥˥tʰjɛn˥˥] — Three days
    3. 四十 (sìshí) [sɨ˥˩ʂʐ̩˧˥] — Forty
    4. 宿舍 (sùshè) [su˥˩ʂɤ˥˩] — Dormitory
    5. 速度 (sùdù) [su˥˩tu˥˩] — Speed
    6. 森林 (sēnlín) [sən˥˥lin˧˥] — Forest
    7. 隨便 (suíbiàn) [sweɪ̯˧˥pjɛn˥˩] — Whatever / As you please
    8. 塑料 (sùliào) [su˥˩ljaʊ̯˥˩] — Plastic
    9. 算帳 (suànzhàng) [swan˥˩ʈʂɑŋ˥˩] — To settle accounts
    10. 思考 (sīkǎo) [sɨ˥˥kʰaʊ̯˨˩˦] — To ponder / Reflect

5. Retroflex Affricates & Fricatives (舌尖後音 / 捲舌音)

Crucial Mandarin series. Pronounced by curling the tip of the tongue backward toward the hard palate (behind the alveolar ridge).

Pinyin: zh → IPA: [ʈʂ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Unaspirated voiceless retroflex affricate. Curl your tongue tip up and backward. It sounds somewhat like English “j” in “jump” or “g” in “gem”, but the tongue must be retroflexed and strictly unaspirated (no puff of air).
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 中國 (Zhōngguó) [ʈʂʊŋ˥˥kwɔ˧˥] — China
    2. 知道 (zhīdào) [ʈʂʐ̩˥˥tɑʊ̯] — To know
    3. 車站 (chēzhàn) [ʈʂʰɤ˥˥ʈʂan˥˩] — Station / Bus stop
    4. 照片 (zhàopiàn) [ʈʂɑʊ̯˥˩pjɛn˥˩] — Photograph
    5. 桌子 (zhuōzi) [ʈʂwɔ˥˥dz̥z̩] — Table / Desk
    6. 準備 (zhǔnbèi) [ʈʂwən˨˩˦peɪ̯˥˩] — To prepare
    7. 正確 (zhèngquè) [ʈʂəŋ˥˩tɕʰɥɛ˥˩] — Correct / Right
    8. 政治 (zhèngzhì) [ʈʂəŋ˥˩ʈʂʐ̩˥˩] — Politics
    9. 支票 (zhīpiào) [ʈʂʐ̩˥˥pʰjɑʊ̯˥˩] — Check (monetary)
    10. 真正 (zhēnzhèng) [ʈʂən˥˥ʈʂəŋ˥˩] — Genuine / Real

Pinyin: ch → IPA: [ʈʂʰ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Aspirated voiceless retroflex affricate. Position your tongue exactly like “zh” [ʈʂ], but release with a very strong puff of air. Similar to English “ch” in “chair” or “cheese”, but with the tongue curled further back.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 吃飯 (chīfàn) [ʈʂʰʐ̩˥˥fan˥˩] — To eat a meal
    2. 車票 (chēpiào) [ʈʂʰɤ˥˥pʰjɑʊ̯˥˩] — Train/bus ticket
    3. 襯衫 (chènshān) [ʈʂʰən˥˩ʂan˥˥] — Shirt
    4. 起床 (qǐchuáng) [tɕi˨˩˦ʈʂʰwɑŋ˧˥] — To get out of bed
    5. 廚房 (chúfáng) [ʈʂʰu˧˥fɑŋ˧˥] — Kitchen
    6. 唱歌 (chànggē) [ʈʂʰɑŋ˥˩kɤ˥˥] — To sing a song
    7. 遲到 (chídào) [ʈʂʰi˧˥tɑʊ̯˥˩] — To arrive late
    8. 重新 (chóngxīn) [ʈʂʰʊŋ˧˥ɕin˥˥] — Over again / Anew
    9. 抽象 (chōuxiàng) [ʈʂʰoʊ̯˥˥ɕjɑŋ˥˩] — Abstract
    10. 出口 (chūkǒu) [ʈʂʰu˥˥kʰoʊ̯˨˩˦] — Exit

Pinyin: sh → IPA: [ʂ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiceless retroflex fricative. Curl tongue backward. Similar to English “sh” in “shoe” or “she”, but with the tongue tip retracted farther back against the roof of the mouth.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 生日 (shēngrì) [ʂəŋ˥˥ʐʐ̩˥˩] — Birthday
    2. 手錶 (shǒubiǎo) [ʂoʊ̯˨˩˦pjɑʊ̯˨˩˦] — Wristwatch
    3. 水果 (shuǐguǒ) [ʂweɪ̯˨˩˦kwɔ˨˩˦] — Fruit
    4. 身體 (shēntǐ) [ʂən˥˥tʰi˨˩˦] — Body / Health
    5. 書包 (shūbāo) [shūbāo] [ʂu˥˥pɑʊ̯˥˥] — Schoolbag
    6. 舒服 (shūfu) [ʂu˥˥fu] — Comfortable
    7. 時候 (shíhou) [ʂʐ̩˧˥xoʊ̯] — Time / Moment
    8. 蔬菜 (shūcài) [ʂu˥˥tsʰaɪ̯˥˩] — Vegetables
    9. 雙胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi) [ʂwɑŋ˥˥pɑʊ̯˥˥tʰaɪ̯˥˥] — Twins
    10. 手機 (shǒují) [ʂoʊ̯˨˩˦tɕi˥˥] — Mobile phone

Pinyin: r → IPA: [ʐ] (or [ɻ])

  • Pronunciation Guide: Voiced retroflex fricative/approximant. Tongue position matches “sh” [ʂ], but your vocal cords must vibrate. It is NOT like the English rolled or bunched “r”. It sounds closest to the “s” in English “pleasure” or “vision”, pronounced with a curled-back tongue.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 日本 (Rìběn) [ʐʐ̩˥˩pən˨˩˦] — Japan
    2. 人類 (rénlèi) [ʐən˧˥leɪ̯˥˩] — Mankind / Humans
    3. 熱鬧 (rènao) [ʐɤ˥˩nɑʊ̯] — Lively / Bustling
    4. 如果 (rúguǒ) [ʐu˧˥kwɔ˨˩˦] — If / In case
    5. 認識 (rènshi) [ʐən˥˩ʂʐ̩] — To know / Recognize (a person)
    6. 認真 (rènzhēn) [ʐən˥˩ʈʂən˥˥] — Serious / Earnest
    7. 日曆 (rìlì) [ʐʐ̩˥˩li˥˩] — Calendar
    8. 柔軟 (róuruǎn) [ʐoʊ̯˧˥ʐwan˨˩˦] — Soft / Flexible
    9. 入口 (rùkǒu) [ʐu˥˩kʰoʊ̯˨˩˦] — Entrance
    10. 容量 (róngliàng) [ʐʊŋ˧˥ljaŋ˥˩] — Capacity / Volume

6. Alveolo-Palatal Sibilants (舌面音)

These sounds are made with the flat/blade of the tongue pressed against the hard palate. They only occur before high front vowels like [i] (pinyin: i) and [y] (pinyin: ü).

Pinyin: j → IPA: [tɕ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Unaspirated voiceless alveolo-palatal affricate. Keep your tongue tip low behind your bottom teeth. Press the middle flat of your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Similar to English “j” in “jeep” or “g” in “genie”, but explicitly flat-tongued and completely unaspirated.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 機場 (jīchǎng) [tɕi˥˥ʈʂʰɑŋ˨˩˦] — Airport
    2. 家裡 (jiālǐ) [tɕja˥˥li˨˩˦] — Inside the house / Home
    3. 姐姐 (jiějie) [tɕjɛ˨˩˦tɕjɛ] — Older sister
    4. 餃子 (jiǎozi) [tɕjɑʊ̯˨˩˦dz̥z̩] — Dumplings
    5. 雞蛋 (jīdàn) [tɕi˥˥tan˥˩] — Chicken egg
    6. 簡單 (jiǎndān) [tɕjɛn˨˩˦tan˥˥] — Simple / Easy
    7. 紀念 (jìniàn) [tɕi˥˩njɛn˥˩] — To commemorate
    8. 檢查 (jiǎnchá) [tɕjɛn˨˩˦ʈʂʰa˧˥] — To check / Inspect
    9. 建立 (jiànlì) [tɕi˥˩li˥˩] — To establish
    10. 經理 (jīnglǐ) [tɕiŋ˥˥li˨˩˦] — Manager

Pinyin: q → IPA: [tɕʰ]

  • Pronunciation Guide: Aspirated voiceless alveolo-palatal affricate. Tongue position is identical to “j” [tɕ], but blow a sharp puff of air through the tongue blade. Similar to English “ch” in “cheep” or “cheese”, but with a flatter tongue shape.
  • 10 Everyday Vocabulary Words:
    1. 汽車 (qìchē) [tɕʰi˥˩ʈʂʰɤ˥˥] — Automobile / Car
    2. 巧克力 (qiǎokèlì) [tɕʰjɑʊ̯˨˩˦kʰɤ˥˩li˥˩] — Chocolate
    3. 錢包 (qiánbāo) [tɕʰjɛn˧˥pɑʊ̯˥˥] — Wallet / Purse
    4. 奇怪 (qíguài) [tɕʰi˧