Practise the retroflex finals
The retroflex final
We have learnt the word 女儿 nǚ’ér, here 儿 ér is an independent syllable in this word, while 儿can also be combined with a syllable before it, forming a retroflex syllable, today we’ll focus on the retroflex syllable first.
How to pronounce er. First put the tongue in the position for e, then slightly curl up the tongue-tip.
Functions of the retroflex final:
- To distinguish word meanings: 这 zhè this —— 这儿 zhèr here
- To distinguish parts of speech: 画 huà to paint —— 画儿 huàr painting
- To show that something is small: 门 mén usually big —— 门儿 ménr probably small and more casual
- To show affection: 花儿 huār usually implies you like the flower
Aspirated and Unaspirated Initials
Differences: the strength of air
b, d: light strength of air
p, t: strong strength of air
| Unaspirated Initials | Aspirated Initials |
|---|---|
| b | p |
| d | t |
| g | k |
| j | q |
| z | c |
| zh | ch |
Syllable-dividing mark
when a syllable beginning with a, o or e follows another syllable, the syllable-dividing mark should be used. Its function is to separate the two syllable.
Like the pinyin for 西安 is Xi’ān.
Another example, 饥饿 借，with the syllable-dividing marks it’s 饥饿 jī’è which means hungry, while without the mark it’s 借 jiè, means to borrow.
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