Letter | English words | Example 1 | Example 2 | Notes |
b | bay | bā | bǐ | (sometimes overlaps with p) |
p | pay | péi | pǐ | (pei and bei are often said for the same character) |
m | may | mò | mén | |
f | fair | fā | fèn | |
d | day | duō | dāng | |
t | take | tā | tiān | (tian and dian can be confused when listening) |
n | nay | nǐ | nà | |
l | lay | lán | lǎo | |
g | gay | gāi | gōng | |
k | kay | kē | kaò | |
h | hay | hái | Huáng Hé | (often said with a rasp at the back of the throat) |
j | jeep | jiē | jú | (palatial) |
q | cheer | qián | qiē | |
x | she | xiān | xièxie | (palatial) |
zh | junk | zhaō | zhěng | (retro - devoiced) |
ch | church | chángcháng | chéng | (retro) |
sh | shirt | shì | shū | (retro) |
r | leisure | rén | ròu | (retro) (can include a bit of the s on leisure) |
z | reads | zaì | zǎn | (devoiced) |
c | hats | cǎo | cí | |
s | say | sān | sòng |