Mandarin Audio Pronunciation Guide

One of the first steps in learning Mandarin Chinese is becoming accustomed to Mandarin pronunciation. Learning how to pronounce Mandarin helps with speaking and listening skills.

The Mandarin language has 21 consonants and 16 vowels. They can be combined together to create more than 400 mono-syllabic sounds.

similar to English, you should try to hear the differences and work on learning how to pronounce Mandarin sounds.

Here is a chart of the 37 sounds of Mandarin with a sound clip of each. Practice these as much as you can - they will provide the foundation learning how to pronounce Mandarin.

similar to 'b' in the English 'boat' - softened to approach a 'p' soundsimilar to 'p' in the English 'top' - with more aspirationsame as 'm' in the English 'mat'same as 'f' in the English 'fat'similar to 'd' in the English 'down' - softened to approach a 't' soundsimilar to 't' in the English 'top' - with more aspirationsimilar to 'n' in the English 'name'similar to 'l' in the English 'look'similar to 'g' in the English 'go' - softened to approach a 'k' soundsimilar to 'k' in the English 'kiss' - with more aspirationsimilar to 'h' in the English 'hope' - with a slight rasp as in 'loch'similar to 'j' in the English 'jeep' - tongue is positioned below lower teethsimilar to 'ch' in the English 'cheap' - tongue is positioned below lower teethsimilar to 'sh' in the English 'sheep' - tongue is positioned below lower teethsimilar to 'j' in the English 'jam'similar to 'ch' in the English 'cheap'similar to 'sh' in the English 'ship'similar to 'z' in the English 'azure'same as 'ds' in the English 'woods'similar to 'ts' in the English 'bits'similar to 's' in the English 'see'similar to 'ee' in the English 'bee'similar to 'oo' in the English 'room'purse your lips and position the tongue high and forwardssimilar to 'ah' in the English 'Ah-hah!'similar to 'or' in the English 'bore'similar to 'er' in the English 'hers'similar to 'ei' in the English 'weigh'similar to 'au' in the English 'sauerkraut'similar to 'ou' in the English 'dough'similar to 'an' in the English 'fan'similar to 'un' in the English 'under'a Mandarin 'a' followed by the 'ng' sound like in the English 'sing'a Mandarin 'e' followed by the 'ng' sound like in the English 'sing'a Mandarin 'e' with the tongue curled back

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