Compound Finals Ⅲ-1

After learning initals zh ch sh r ; z c s, let’s have a look at compound finals starting with i and u. Compound finals starting with i and u are “iɑ ie iɑo iɑn iɑng in ing iong uɑ uo uɑi uɑn uɑng ueng” .

As mentioned in the last video, when you pronounce ɑi, your pronunciation should smoothly transition from ɑ to i. We use the same method to pronounce these compound finals. Please practice by reading the following syllables.

• iɑ, jiā — home or family
• ie, jiě — elder sister
• iɑo, xiǎo — small

• iɑn, qián — money
• iɑng, xiǎng — to think
• in, xīn — heart
• ing, “bīng” means “ice”. In China normally you get hot water in restaurants, if you prefer cold water, you say “bīng”.
• iong, xióng — bear

• uɑ, huā — flowers
• uo, duō — many
• uɑi, kuài — fast
• uɑn, chuán — boat
• uɑng, huáng — yellow
• ueng, usually describe the sound of bee.

When you pronounce compound finals start with i and u, you first pronounce i and u lightly and quickly transition to the main vowel.