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How to Pronounce j, q, x in Mandarin
Learn a practical mouth position for three sounds that often confuse English-speaking beginners.
Quick answer
For j, q, and x, keep the tongue tip low behind the bottom teeth and let the middle of your tongue approach the roof of your mouth.
j
q
x
Hear each sound, then repeat it aloud.
When to use it
Use the same tongue position for all three sounds. The difference is how the air and friction are released.
Common mistake
Do not pronounce q like the English letter name ‘cue’, and do not turn x into a strong English ‘ks’ sound.
Practise aloud
几 how many
七 seven
谢谢 thank you
You’ve got this!
Practise the three sounds as a family instead of learning them separately. Keep the tongue position stable and listen for the change in airflow.