Learning Initial "d" in Pinyin

Some Chinese consonants are rather similar to English consonants, but it's important to hear the differences and get all details as accurate as possible!


How to read: d
An unaspirated voiceless alveolar plosive. It is pronounced by raising the tongne tip against the upper teethridge to block the air and then putting it down to release the air. The vocal cords do not vibrate. It is similar to 'd' in the English 'down' - softened to approach a 't' sound.


Phrases:
大dà：big;
锻炼duàn liàn：exercise.