Tricky Consonants
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    This group of sounds is probably the biggest source of pronunciation confusion for beginners. Let's take a closer look and do plenty of side-by-side comparisons.


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    The easiest of these to pronounce is s. It is pronounced exactly as in English. IPA: /s/


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    Sh is similar to sh in English, but with the tongue curled back (retroflex articulation). IPA: /ʂ/


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    Comparison of s and sh. Note that many Chinese people struggle to distinguish these sounds.


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    This sound can only be followed by i or ü (high front vowels). There are no situations where x has to be distinguished from s or sh (for example, "xa" is impossible, there is only "xia". Equally, "shia" or "sia" are both impossible, there is only "sha" and "sa"). An identical situation exists in Japanese and Korean, where s becomes palatised before a high front vowel. Pinyin "xi" represents exactly the same sound as shi/si in Japanese and Korean. IPA: /ɕ/


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    Comparison of s, sh and x. No direct comparisons are possible between s/sh and x, as x can only be followed by i or ü (and s/sh can't be followed by these sounds). The spelling is a little confusing, the i following s and sh represents a different sound from the i in xi, and the u in xu is actually ü. More on this in another lesson. Note that some speakers do not distinguish s from x (i.e. they pronounce "xia" like "sia").


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    More examples of x.


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    Syllables containing sh are pronounced quite far back in the mouth (both consonant and vowel), and syllables containing x are pronounced far forward in the mouth (both consonant and vowel).


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    Let's move on to z/zh/j. Be aware that z is not pronounced as in English. It is pronounced as a "ts" like it is in German and Italian. IPA: /t͡s/


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    Let's hear a comparison of s and z. Remember, the z is not a voiced /z/ like in English, it is pronounced /t͡s/. This type of sound is called an affricate and is pronounced like a single consonant, not a separate t and s.


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    Zh has the same relationship to z as sh has to s. In others words, if z is "ts", then zh is like "tsh" (pronounced like a single letter and with the tongue curled and pointing up). IPA: /ʈ͡ʂ/


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    As with s and sh, many Chinese people struggle to distinguish z and zh. It's common to hear people pronounce "China" as "Zōngguó" rather than Zhōngguó.


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    Comparison of sh and zh.


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    J is a palatal like x. The relationship between z and j is the same as the relationship between s and x. If z is "ts" and zh is "tsh", then j is like "tx" (pronounced like a single letter). IPA: /t͡ɕ/


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    As with x, j can only be used with i and ü. Some speakers do not fully distinguish j and z, so jiang becomes like "ziang".


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    Comparison of x and j.


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    C is identical to z except c is aspirated. Aspiration means that you produce a puff of air as you make the consonant. This isn't as exotic as it might sound, native English speakers aspirate the consonants p, t and k without even knowing it. IPA: /t͡sʰ/


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    Comparison of z and c.


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    Ch is the aspirated version of zh. IPA: /ʈ͡ʂʰ/


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    Comparison of zh and ch.


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    As with s/sh and z/zh, many Chinese people are unable to properly distinguish c and ch. It's common to hear chī (eat) pronounced as "cī".


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    Finally, q is the aspirated version of j. IPA: /t͡ɕʰ/


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    Q compared to j.


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    Comparison of these three aspirated sounds (c/ch/q).
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