When you’re learning Chinese, one of the first tools you’ll encounter is pinyin. Pinyin is the romanized spelling system that helps you learn how to pronounce Chinese characters. It’s incredibly useful, not just for speaking but also for typing in Chinese—something you’ll find really helpful when using your phone or computer.
One tip for pronunciation is to pay close attention to the initial consonants and the vowel sounds. Some of the sounds in Chinese, like “x” and “q,” don’t exist in English, so they might feel tricky at first. But with practice, you’ll get the hang of them. A key to mastering pinyin is to practice reading it aloud regularly, and don’t skip over the tones! They’re just as important as the letters.