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How to Pronounce b, p, m, f in Mandarin
The four lip sounds — a gentle place to start with Mandarin initials.
Quick answer
b, p and m are made with both lips, f with the lower lip against the upper teeth, much as in English. The key difference: b has no puff of air, p has a strong one.
b
p
m
f
Hear each sound, then repeat it aloud.
When to use it
These lip sounds appear in some of the most common words. Get them steady first.
Common mistake
Pushing a puff of air on b. Mandarin b has none, close to the p in ‘spin’; p has a strong puff, like the p in ‘pie’.
Practise aloud
爸 dad
怕 afraid
妈 mom
飞 to fly
You’ve got this!
Practise the four sounds as one family. Give p its strong puff and keep b without one, then try them inside familiar words like mā (mom) or bà (dad).
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