intro 9 initials n tones

Introduction to Chinese Language

• Welcome Message

  • Hello, Everyone!

  • 大家好! (Dà jiā hǎo!)

  • Let’s begin the class.

  • 上课 (Shàng kè)

Daily Expressions - Greetings

• Common phrases:

  • 你好！(Nǐ hǎo!) - Hello! or how do you do?

  • 我叫 + oneself’s name (Wǒ jiào) - I’m called ---

  • 你呢? (Nǐ ne) - And you?

Daily Expressions - Asking for Name

• Key terms:

  • What (什么 Shénme)

  • Name (名字 Míngzì)

• Asking:

  • 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?) - What’s your name?

• Answering:

  • Reference video for pronunciation:

  • 视频链接

Introduction of Pinyin

• Definition:

  • Chinese Pinyin uses the 26 Latin letters to represent Chinese characters phonetically.

• Structure of Syllables:

  • Each character carries one syllable.

  • Each syllable consists of three elements:

    • Initial consonant

    • Final vowel

    • Tone

• Example:

  • 你好！（Nǐ hǎo!) - Hello! or how do you do?

Pinyin Components

Final Vowels

1. Total Finals: 36

2. Total Initials: 23

3. Total Tones: 5

Reasons to Learn Pinyin

• Benefits:

  • Guides correct pronunciation of Chinese.

  • Foundation for learning Chinese.

  • Essential for typing Chinese.

Introduction to 6 Simple Final Vowels (元音)

a

• Sound: as in father

• Tips: Open mouth wide, tone very low.

• Example: 啊 (a) - affirmation, question, or surprise.

• Reference video: 影片链接

o

• Sound: as in worry

• Tips: Round lips, create a circle.

• Example: 窝 (wo) - nest.

• Note: 'o' should not sound like "oh" as in OK.

e

• Sound: as in earth

• Tips: Flat oval lips, open mouth slightly, sound from back of the tongue.

• Example: 鹅 (e) - goose.

• Reference: Children Song《咏鹅》- 视频链接

i

• Sound: as in east

• Tips: Lips stretched to sides.

• Example: 一 (yī) - one.

u

• Sound: as in wood

• Tips: Round lips, small hole.

• Example: 屋 (wū) - house.

• Reference videos: 视频1 and 视频2

ü

• Unique sound: No English counterpart.

• Tips: Small mouth opening, round lips, and tongue against lower gums.

• Example: 愚 (yú) - foolish, stupid.

Practice of 6 Simple Finals

• Practice: i, e, u, a, ü, o

• Mixed Practice: o, a, ü, i, e, u

Word Examples for Six Simple Finals

• Final characters with meanings:

  • a - 啊

  • o - 窝 (nest)

  • e - 鹅 (goose)

  • i - 一 (one)

  • u - 屋 (house)

  • ü - 愚 (stupid)

Introduction of Initial Consonants (辅音)

Group 1

• b, p, m, f

Group 2

• d, t, n, l

• Tips: Pronounced brief and similar to English counterparts.

• Reference: 视频链接

Group 3

• g, k, h

Group 4

• j, q, x

• Tips: Make them brief and short.

English Words for Pronunciation of Initial Consonants

• b - Bolivia, boy

• p - poor

• m - murmur

• f - from

• d - dog

• t - Tibetan

• n - nurse

• l - cooler

• j - jeep

• q - cheese, cheetah

• x - see, sea

• Reference Video: 视频链接

Practice of Initials

• Grouped Practice:

  • g, k, h

  • j, q, x

Study Recommendations

1. Recite 6 simple final vowels.

2. Recite 14 initial consonants.

3. Practice new words and daily expressions.

Conclusion

1. The class is over.

• 下课 (Xià kè)

2. Good-bye!

• 再见! (Zài jiàn!)