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Fundamentals Of Basic Chinese (1)

Vowel

In Chinese language, vowels cannot be written individually. This is the Yin-Yang notion seen in the written language. Therefore, a vowel must be accompany with a consonant and vice versa. There are 6 vowels that been widely used in Chinese Pinyin, called main vowels.

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a  =   a  in  aquarium

o =    o in orange

e  =  ea in earth

i  =   i  in it

u =  oo in wood  < u >

ü = yu in yuan  < ju’ >

While compound vowels are vowels created by the combination of main vowels. Generally, there are total 13 compound vowels in Chinese Pinyin.

a  +  i  = ai    < I as I am >

a  +  o  = ao   < ou  as outage >

Other than that, Nasal Vowels also play important role in Chinese Pinyin. Nasal vowels are main vowels combine with nasal sounds, namely n, ng

a   +   n   =   an   < un  as unhealthy >

e  +   n   =   en  < earn >

i  + ong  = iong  < yong >

i  + ng  =  ing  < ying as playing >

Click Here to go to Beginners Chinese – Consonants