Vowel-a

Today we learn the first alphabet, it’s also the first vowels. Interestingly, both Mandarin Chinese and English have this sound. But they are somehow very different. The most conspicuous one is that there are 4 tones in Chinese while the same vowel has several sounds in English.

 

Before we dive into 4 tones. Let’s just practice how to pronounce the a sound, just like the a in father.

 

 

Now you have heard the sound, please write it on a sheet of paper or you can download this Exercise Sheet. Write it and repeat the sound.

 

Pinyin-a

Here is an example: