Learn Chinese Pinyin in 21 Days – Day 17: Finals, ua, uo, uai

This pinyin lesson helps you learn Pinyin Finals: ua, uo, uai with MP3 audio, tone drills, 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 ua, uo, uai

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. ua: as “u + a”. Like “wah”.

 

2. uo: as “u + o”. Like ”war”.

 

3. uai: as “u + ai”. Like “why”.

 

Example Words

Example 1: Chinese Character: 花 Pinyin: huā   English translation: flower
Example 2: Chinese Character: 说 Pinyin: shuō   English translation: speak
Example 3: Chinese Character: 坏 Pinyin: huài   English translation: broken