The difficult Pinyin Initial “z”

 

In Pinyin, the sound system of the Chinese language is mostly similar as English alphabet. However, some sounds are quite unique, which poses challenges for native English speakers. In this part, I will share a few tips how to pronounce  pinyin "Z".

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• Before we start, pronounce the following English words:

 

hands               kids              goods         lizards         rides

 

You may notice the common sound of these words “dz”. It is almost the same as the pinyin “z”.

 

Now consciously think about how you make the sound in the mouth. This is quite useful when you   try to pronounce the pinyin”z”.

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• How to pronounce “z” 

 

Pay attention to the tongue position, mouth and lips and air flow: 

 

Tongue Position: 

• Place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth, but don’t press too hard. The tongue should be just slightly curled upward, touching the hard part of your palate near your teeth.

Mouth and Lips:

• Keep your lips relaxed and your mouth slightly open.

• Make sure your vocal cords are vibrating, as "z" is a voiced sound.

Air Flow:

• The airflow should be directed through the front of your mouth, with a slight hiss as you pronounce the sound. Your tongue will create a small barrier against the roof of your mouth, releasing the air when you pronounce it.