Consonants

Question 1

b

Answer 1

bay, boar

(sometimes overlaps with p)

Example

bā bǐ

Question 2

p

Answer 2

pay, polar

(pei and bei are often said for the same character)

Example

péi pǐ

Question 3

m

Answer 3

may, more

Example

mò mén

Question 4

f

Answer 4

fair, before

Example

fā fèn

Question 5

d

Answer 5

day, decided

Example

duō dāng

Question 6

t

Answer 6

take, deter

Example

tā tiān

(tian and dian can be confused when listening)

Question 7

n

Answer 7

nay, nurse

Example

nǐ nà

Question 8

l

Answer 8

lay, learn

Example

lán lǎo

Question 9

g

Answer 9

gay, girl

Example

gāi gōng

Question 10

k

Answer 10

kay, handkerchief

Example

kē kaò

Question 11

h

Answer 11

hay, her

(often said with a rasp at the back of the throat)

Example

hái Huáng Hé

Question 12

j

Answer 12

jeep, jitter

(palatial)

Example

jiē jú

Question 13

q *

Answer 13

cheer, cheetah

Example

qián qiē

Question 14

x *

Answer 14

she, sheet

(palatial)

Example

xiān xièxie

Question 15

zh *

Answer 15

junk, giraffe

(retro - devoiced)

Example

zhaō zhěng

Question 16

ch

Answer 16

church, catch

(retro)

Example

chángcháng chéng

Question 17

sh

Answer 17

shirt, bush

(retro)

Example

shì shū

Question 18

r *

Answer 18

leisure, right

(retro) (can include a bit of the s on leisure)

(something between American r and French j)

Example

rén ròu

Question 19

z *

Answer 19

reads, hands

(devoiced)

Example

zaì zǎn

Question 20

c *

Answer 20

hats, cats

Example

cǎo cí

Question 21

s

Answer 21

say, sir

Example

sān sòng

Question 22

y

Answer 22

yea

Example

yǎn yéye

Question 23

w

Answer 23

way

Example

wèn wǔ