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The full pinyin table
Click or tap a syllable to hear it, then pick a tone. Every Mandarin word is built from these syllables plus a tone.
Choose a syllable from the table.
We recommend the Pinyin Pairs listening exercise - hear a word, then choose the pinyin that matches from similar-sounding options.
Pinyin Pairs →Tones
Mandarin has four tones plus a light neutral tone. Pitch runs from 1 (low) to 5 (high) — read each line left to right, the way the syllable is said.
Explore Mandarin sounds
Mandarin initials are often pronounced with an added vowel sound when taught on their own. For example, b is commonly read as bō rather than as an isolated consonant.