Difference between revisions of "Tough sounds c-s-z-"

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== Pronunciation Tips for c-s-z- (A2) ==
 
== Pronunciation Tips for c-s-z- (A2) ==
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Revisit our page on [[The "c" and "z" sounds|the "c-" and "z-" initials]] if you need to. Some reminders from that page:
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=== On the "c-" Initial ===
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<blockquote>
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[[File:AllSet-PronWiki-c-diagram.jpg|200x150px|thumb|right|C-Diagram]]
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Pinyin's [[c-]] initial is simply a <span class="enpron">"ts"</span> sound. It's like the "ts" you hear in the English words <span class="enpron">"ca<strong>ts</strong>"</span> and <span class="enpron">"Wa<strong>ts</strong>on"</span> and <span class="enpron">"robo<strong>ts</strong>"</span>. The only thing that makes this Chinese sound challenging is that in English the <span class="enpron">"ts"</span> ''always appears in the middle or at the end of words, whereas in Chinese it is an initial sound''. For this reason, some learners need some time to get used to making this sound.
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</blockquote>
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=== On the "z-" Initial ===
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<blockquote>
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[[File:AllSet-PronWiki-z-diagram.jpg|200x150px|thumb|right|Z-Diagram]]
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Very similar to the [[c-]] initial, the [[z-]] initial sounds very similar to an English <span class="enpron">"dz"</span> sound (although the "d" is not [[voiced]]). It's like the "ds" you hear in the English words <span class="enpron">"ki<strong>ds</strong>"</span> and <span class="enpron">"loa<strong>ds</strong>"</span> and <span class="enpron">"o<strong>dds</strong>"</span>. The main thing that makes this Chinese sound challenging is that in English the <span class="enpron">"dz"</span> ''always appears in the middle or at the end of words, whereas in Chinese it is an initial sound''. For this reason, some learners need some time to get used to making this sound.
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</blockquote>
  
 
== Tough Sound Words: c-s-z- (A2) ==
 
== Tough Sound Words: c-s-z- (A2) ==

Revision as of 09:24, 13 May 2020

Not all learners struggle with them, but the "c-" and "z-" initials can be tricky for some. Practice the following words and phrases to be sure that you've got a good handle on these tough sounds.

Pronunciation Tips for c-s-z- (A2)

Revisit our page on the "c-" and "z-" initials if you need to. Some reminders from that page:

On the "c-" Initial

C-Diagram

Pinyin's c- initial is simply a "ts" sound. It's like the "ts" you hear in the English words "cats" and "Watson" and "robots". The only thing that makes this Chinese sound challenging is that in English the "ts" always appears in the middle or at the end of words, whereas in Chinese it is an initial sound. For this reason, some learners need some time to get used to making this sound.

On the "z-" Initial

Z-Diagram

Very similar to the c- initial, the z- initial sounds very similar to an English "dz" sound (although the "d" is not voiced). It's like the "ds" you hear in the English words "kids" and "loads" and "odds". The main thing that makes this Chinese sound challenging is that in English the "dz" always appears in the middle or at the end of words, whereas in Chinese it is an initial sound. For this reason, some learners need some time to get used to making this sound.

Tough Sound Words: c-s-z- (A2)

The words in the following table are designed to give you a good pronunciation workout. Practice them on your own and practice them with your teacher.

Audio Chinese Pinyin English
zuò to do; to make; to be
zǒu to walk, to go, to leave
zài again; another; then
zuì most, -est
zǎo early; morning
zuǒ left (opposite of right)
总是 zǒngshì always
cóng from; via
cài vegetable; dish (of food); cuisine (of a region)
word
cuò mistake, fault; mistakenly
[measure word for how many times something happens]
cǎo grass
聪明 cōngming smart, intelligent

Tough Sound Video Practice: c-s-z- (A2)

Sources and further reading