Lesson 5 Tongue-tip rolled Sounds: zh, ch, sh, and r

When they are pronounced, the tongue tip is rolled up against the hard palate and then the breath is squeezed out from the gap between the tongue and the hard palate. Thus they are called tongue-tip rolled sound.

 

Chinese

Pinyin

Consonant

Description

Similar English Sound

For Reference

 

 

 

 

zh

Mouth:

It is pen naturally.

Tongue:

The tongue tip curves up and touches the hard palate.

The breath strongly squeezes out from the chink.

Lips:

They are open.

 

Similar to the “dz” in leads. (unaspirated)

 

 

 

Chinese

Pinyin

Consonant

Description

Similar English Sound

For Reference

 

 

 

 

ch

Mouth:

It opens naturally.

Tongue:

The tongue tip curves up and touches the hard palate.

The breath strongly squeezes out from the chink.

Lips:

They are open.

 

 

Similar to the “ch” in church.(aspirated)

 

Chinese Pinyin Alphabet

Description

Similar English Sound

For Reference

 

 

 

 

 

sh

Mouth:

It opens naturally.

Tongue:

The tongue tip curves up and approaches the hard palate.

The breath strongly squeezes out from the chink.

Lips:

They are open, but the up and lower teeth are closed. And lips are shaped as if a square.

 

 

Similar to the “sh” in sheep.

 

 

 

Chinese Pinyin Alphabet

Description

Similar English Sound

For Reference

 

 

r

Mouth:

It opens naturally.

Tongue:

Raise the tongue and curve it. Tongue tip touches the hard palate.

The air squeezes out of the chink.

 

Similar to the “r” in read.