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How to pronounce [b]/[p] in Chinese Pinyin

How to pronounce [b]:

      b

Close your lips tightly and then let a little bit of airflow comes out your mouth by a sudden release of lips but with no vibration of the vocal cord. The sound of [b] is like the “b” in English word “bird”.

How to pronounce [p]:

      p

The position of articulation is the same as that of [b] and then push the airflow forcibly out without vibration of the vocal cord. The sound of [p] is more like the “p” in English word “park”.

The Similarities:

1. [b] [p] are bilabial plosive initials.

2. Vocal cord: [b] [p] are both voiceless.

The Difference:

[b] is unaspirated while [p] is aspirated.

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