JJ Easy Chinese
Lesson 3 Tongue-root Sounds: g, k, and h
When they are pronounced, the tongue root touches the soft palate with breath strongly breaking through. Thus they are called tongue-root sounds.
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Chinese Pinyin Consonant |
Description |
Similar English Sound For Reference |
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g
It is voiced.
k
It is voiceless. |
Mouth: It opens naturally. Tongue: The tongue root touches the soft palate and the air blows off the tongue root from the soft palate. Lips: They are open. |
Similar to the “k” in sky. (unaspirated)
Similar to the “ k” in key. |
|
Chinese Pinyin Consonant |
Description |
Similar English Sound For Reference |
|
h |
Mouth: It opens naturally. Tongue: The tongue root approaches to the soft palate. Lips: They are open. |
Similar to the “h” in hot. |