Learn Chinese Pinyin in 21 Days – Day 15: Finals, ia, iao

In this pinyin lesson, we learn two compound finals, which are ia, iao. We also learn some Chinese characters that use “ia, iao”. In addition, you can have listening exercises and quizzes for ia, iao.

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 ia, iao

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. ia: as “i + a”. Like ya in “yahoo”.

2. iao: as “i + ao”. Like eow in”meow”.

Example Words

Example 1: Chinese Character: 加 Pinyin: jiā   English translation: plus
Example 2: Chinese Character: 虾 Pinyin: xiā   English translation: shrimp
Example 3: Chinese Character: 笑 Pinyin: xiào   English translation: laugh
Example 4: Chinese Character: 跳 Pinyin: tiào   English translation: jump