The Secret To Pronounce Perfect [ü] & Its Spelling Rules in Exception
The Pronunciation:
ü
[ü] is one of the basic five finals, which doesn’t exist in English and many other foreign languages. The key to pronouncing the vowel [ü]:
First, try to pronounce the pinyin final [i] or “ee” in English word “bee”, and then gradually round and tighten your lips in an “O” shape. Make it faster! Combine these sounds together. The vowel [ü] will naturally come out.
The Spelling Rules in Exception:
When the final [ü] or a final beginning with [ü] meet the initials “j”, “q” or “x”, the two dots above [ü] should be omitted and written as [u]. But the pronunciation in spoken keeps the original [ü].
e.g.
Spoken pronunciation | Written form |
j + ü | ju |
q + ü | qu |
x + ü | xu |
j + üe | jue |
q + üe | que |
x + üe | xue |
j + üan | juan |
q + üan | quan |
x + üan | xuan |
j + ün | jun |
q + ün | qun |
x + ün | xun |