Pinyin Initials

Question 1

Here are 32 letters and letter combinations which (let us imagine) could be Pinyin Initials.

a - b - c - d - e - f - g - h - i - j - k - l - m - n - o - p - q - r - s - t - u - v - w - x - y - z - ch - gh - ph - sh - th - zh

Of the 32, which 9 are not actually Pinyin Initials?

Answer 1

a - e - i - o - u - v - gh - ph - th

Question 2

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

sh

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 2

Yes: shush (sh at end of word)

Question 3

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

k

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 3

Yes: king (k)

Question 4

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

x

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 4

Yes: sheep (shee)

Question 5

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

y

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 5

Yes: yes (actually yee sound)

Question 6

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

g

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 6

Yes: get (g)

Question 7

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

f

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 7

Yes: fan (f)

Question 8

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

v

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

r

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 9

Yes: Asia (si – motorbike sound)

Question 10

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

n

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 10

Yes: nurse (n)

Question 11

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

gh

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 11

No

Question 12

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

w

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 12

Yes: want

Question 13

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

th

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 13

No

Question 14

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

l

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 14

Yes: love (l)

Question 15

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

m

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 15

Yes: mum (m)

Question 16

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

q

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 16

Yes: cheese (chee)

Question 17

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

ch

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 17

Yes: peach (ch)

Question 18

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

t

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 18

Yes: top (t)

Question 19

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

j

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 19

Yes: jeep (jee)

Question 20

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

d

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 20

Yes: day (d)

Question 21

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

z

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 21

Yes: yards; kids (ds)

Question 22

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

ph

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 22

No

Question 23

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

zh

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 23

Yes: judge (ge)

Question 24

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

p

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 24

Yes: pan (p)

Question 25

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

h

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 25

Yes: help (h)

Question 26

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

b

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 26

Yes: bay (b)

Question 27

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

c

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 27

Yes: cats (ts)

Question 28

Is this a Pinyin initial, and, if so, how is it pronounced?

s

If ‘Yes’, answer with the word given in the pronunciation guide and the letter(s) which represent(s) the pronunciation.

Answer 28

Yes: mess (ss)