Learn Chinese Pinyin in 21 Days – Day 11: Finals, ao, ou, iu

In this pinyin lesson, we learn three compound finals, which are ao, ou, iu. We also learn some Chinese characters that use “ao, ou, iu”. In addition, you can get listening exercises and quizzes for ao, ou, iu.

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 ao, ou, iu

The final iu, is actually shortcut for iou.

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. ao: as ow in “cow”.

2. ou: as oa in “boat”.

3. iu: as “you”.(To be more closer, just like saying the letters “EO” in English.)

Example Words

Example 1: Chinese Character: 草 Pinyin: cǎo   English translation: grass
Example 2: Chinese Character: 狗 Pinyin: gǒu   English translation: dog
Example 3: Chinese Character: 牛 Pinyin: niú   English translation: ox