Learn the tongue twisters to pronounce h and f

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Have you ever attempted Chinese tongue twisters? They can be especially helpful for improving your Pinyin when learning Chinese, particularly for some of the more easily confused sounds. Today, let's focus on a tongue twister involving the sounds of "h" and "f".

On the pink wall, a phoenix is painted, with the phoenix painted on the pink wall.
粉红墙上画凤凰,凤凰画在粉红墙。
Fěn hóng qiáng shàng huà fèng huáng, fèng huáng huà zài fěn hóng qiáng.

Red phoenix, pink phoenix, red-pink phoenix, flower phoenix.
红凤凰、粉凤凰,红粉凤凰、花凤凰。
Hóng fèng huáng, fěn fèng huáng, hóng fěn fèng huáng, huā fèng huáng.

Phoenix (fèng huáng) is a sacred bird in traditional Chinese culture and is regarded as a symbol of good fortune and luck. To pronounce phoenix correctly, you can follow these steps:

Feng (fèng): When pronouncing the word, first gently press the tip of the tongue against the lower gums, and then release the airflow so that the tip of the tongue is slightly raised but does not touch the roof of the mouth. At the same time, your lips should be slightly open, but not too tightly closed. The stress is on the first syllable, “feng”.

Huang (huáng): When pronouncing, pay attention to the lip shape, close the lips tightly, and then suddenly separate them to release the airflow and produce a clear plosive sound. The stress is on the first syllable, “huang”.

Pink (fěn) and Red (hóng): These two words are pronounced with a voiceless consonant "f" and a voiceless nasal "n". When pronouncing the word, first place the tip of your tongue lightly against the lower gums, then send out airflow from the nasal cavity to form the sound of "f", and finally make the sound of "n". The point is to make sure the "f" is pronounced clearly and smoothly.

Related Articles

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

Our instructors are highly skilled and experienced experts in Chinese language teaching, with proficiency in multiple languages. They hold at least a bachelor's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and possess extensive teaching experience and knowledge. Through a rigorous selection process and ongoing training, our instructors are equipped to provide students with authentic pronunciation, accurate language usage, and cultural background knowledge, all of which are essential for achieving mastery of the Chinese language.
Yes, our website offers courses in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters. You can choose the character set that you want to learn based on your personal preference or learning goals.Our courses are designed to accommodate learners of all levels and backgrounds, so whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, we have resources that can help you improve your Chinese language skills.
No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.
Certainly, we offer a complimentary 30 - minute trial lesson for you to experience our services before committing to a purchase.This will allow you to gain a better understanding of our qualified tutors, innovative teaching methods, comprehensive class materials, and more.We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and ensuring your satisfaction with our courses.
We offer secure and convenient payment options, including PayPal. PayPal is a widely recognized and trusted online payment platform that provides a secure way to make transactions. We also follow industry-standard security protocols to ensure the safety of your personal and financial information.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can send an email to: service @chineselearning.com.We have a team of professionals who will be happy to assist you with any issues as soon as possible.