Smart Book Post: Chinese Pronunciation Guide

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🎯 Master Chinese Pronunciation: z, c, s, zh, ch, sh, r

Among the most challenging Mandarin initials are z, c, s, zh, ch, sh, and r. This Smart Book guide helps you understand, practice, and master them step by step.

🔑 Quick Rules

  • Flat tongue → z, c, s
  • Curled tongue → zh, ch, sh, r
  • Aspirated (with puff of air) → c, ch
  • Unaspirated (softer) → z, zh
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🗣️ Breakdown with Examples

Initial How to Say It English Hint Example Words + Tones
z Flat tongue, no puff “ds” in kids zì 字 (4, character), zài 在 (4, at), zǒu 走 (3, walk)
c Flat tongue + puff “ts” in cats cì 次 (4, time), cái 才 (2, only/then), cōngmíng 聪明 (1+neutral, smart)
s Air through teeth “s” in see sì 四 (4, four), sān 三 (1, three), shēngsī 生死 (1+3, life & death)
zh Curl tongue back, no puff “j” in jam (further back) zhī 知 (1, know), zhǎo 找 (3, look for), Zhōngguó 中国 (1+2, China)
ch Curl tongue + puff “ch” in church chī 吃 (1, eat), chū 出 (1, go out), cháng 长 (2, long)
sh Curl tongue, continuous “sh” in she shì 是 (4, is), shū 书 (1, book), Shànghǎi 上海 (4+3)
r Curl tongue, between r & zh unique Mandarin sound rì 日 (4, day), rén 人 (2, person), ràng 让 (4, allow)
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🎧 Practice Drills

1) Minimal Pairs

zì 字 (4) vs. zhì 志 (4)
cì 次 (4) vs. chì 翅 (4)
sī 思 (1) vs. shī 师 (1)

2) Tone + Initial Drills

zī, zí, zǐ, zì
chī, chí, chǐ, chì
shī, shí, shǐ, shì
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🧩 Sentence Practice

我在中国吃书。
Wǒ zài Zhōngguó chī shū.
“I’m in China eating a book.” (nonsense but excellent articulation practice!)

✅ Final Tips

  • Use the paper test → movement = aspiration (c, ch).
  • Use the mirror test → check tongue curl for retroflex (zh, ch, sh, r).
  • Short daily drills (5–10 minutes) beat long, rare sessions.
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