Learn Chinese Pinyin in 21 Days – Day 16: Finals, ian, iang, iong

This pinyin lesson helps you learn Pinyin Finals: ian, iang, iong with MP3 audio, tone exercise and listening quiz.

Finals

Finals are all possible combinations of semivowels coming before the vowel, the nucleus vowel, and final vowel.
There are 14 compound finals (复韵母) and 14 nasal finals (鼻韵母).

Compound finals: ai, ei, ui; ao, ou, iu; ie, üe; er; ia, iao; ua, uo, uai
Nasal finals: an, en; in, un, ün; ang, eng, ing, ong; ian, iang, iong; uan, uang

Pronunciation Guide for ian, iang, iong

The following guide is given in terms of English pronunciation. They are approximate, as there are some sounds of Pinyin do not correspond directly to sounds in English.

1. ian: as “i + an”. Like Japanese “yen”.

 

2. iang: as “i + ang”. Like ”young”.

 

3. iong: as “i + ong”.

 

Example Words

Example 1: Chinese Character: 线 Pinyin: xiàn   English translation: string
Example 2: Chinese Character: 象 Pinyin: xiàng   English translation: elephant
Example 3: Chinese Character: 熊 Pinyin: xióng   English translation: bear