Pronunciation · Beginner
What Is Pinyin?
Pinyin writes Mandarin pronunciation with Roman letters, helping you connect new sounds with Chinese characters.
Quick answer
Pinyin
is a pronunciation guide
. Read the letters as Mandarin sounds, not automatically as English sounds.
Hear the phrase, then repeat it aloud.
When to use it
Use pinyin while learning how a new word sounds. Keep looking at the Chinese characters too, so sound and meaning stay connected.
Common mistake
English spelling habits can mislead you. A pinyin letter may not sound exactly like the same letter in English.
Practise aloud
Pinyin is most useful when you listen, repeat, and compare your sound with a clear model. Tone marks are part of the pronunciation, so read nǐ as a complete sound rather than reading only ni.
Want feedback on your pronunciation?
Not ready for a lesson? Email me your questions