Chinese Pinyin

Vowel

Description

Similar English Sound

For Reference

a

Mouth:

It is widely open.

Tongue:

The front of the tongue is in the lowest position.

lips：

They are naturally open.

Similar to long a, such as a in father, java, pa, ma, ha….

Chinese has four different tones with four different meanings.

ā á ǎ à

Chinese Pinyin

Vowel

Description

Similar English Sound

O

Mouth:

It is half open.

Tongue:

The rear of the tongue is raised

lips：

They are shaped round.

Similar to the aw in law, jaw, claw, fawn, draw, paw, straw, yawn….

But it is not pronounce in the blend “ong”

ō ó ǒ ò