Pinyin 2 of 6 · day 2
The puff of air
b and p, d and t, g and k are not voiced against unvoiced, as in English. The only difference is a puff of air.
What to listen for
- Hold your palm in front of your mouth. p t k c ch q: you feel a puff. b d g z zh j: you don't.
- b d g are like the p t k in spin, stop, skin — never a buzzing English b.
- Say pairs slowly, palm up, until the puff comes without thinking.
Watch
On the morning ride: watch the mouths and mime the sounds. The listening check below works on the same ride.
Hear the difference
Tap any sound. Native speakers, not a robot voice.
b · p
d · t
g · k
z · c
zh · ch
j · q
Listening check
Ten sounds. Nine right and the unit is solid; below that, replay the pairs you missed and go again.
10 sounds · 9 right is solid
Earbuds in. Each sound plays as its question appears — replay it as often as you like, then pick what you heard.
Say it out loud
At the evening desk: hear a word, say it, record yourself, play both back. Whole words — the tone rides along.
Tutor: Palm in front of your mouth, work through the pairs; the tutor listens for the puff.
Native recordings: Chen Wang (syllables) and Yue Tan (words), from the audio-cmn project, CC BY-SA. Source