curriculum/challenges/english/blocks/zh-a1-learn-initials/67e3284ee5e954d469b7ee56.md
The initial z is pronounced by putting the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth to build up a little air pressure, then quickly moving your tongue away to make a short, buzzing sound. No strong air puff.
When z combines with the finals a, e, and u, you get the syllables: za, ze, and zu.
Let's practice pronouncing these syllables, and then use zu in different tones as an example.
| Pinyin | Character |
|---|---|
zū | 租 |
zú | 足 |
zǔ | 祖 |
I've listened to the audio and practiced pronouncing the initial and syllables.
{
"setup": {
"background": "company3-reception.png",
"characters": [
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"position": {
"x": 50,
"y": 15,
"z": 1.4
},
"opacity": 0
}
],
"audio": {
"filename": "ZH_A1_pinyin_initials.mp3",
"startTime": 1,
"startTimestamp": 588.3,
"finishTimestamp": 601.52
}
},
"commands": [
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"opacity": 1,
"startTime": 0
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"startTime": 1,
"finishTime": 1.61,
"dialogue": {
"text": "z",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"startTime": 2.57,
"finishTime": 3.35,
"dialogue": {
"text": "za",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"startTime": 4.38,
"finishTime": 5.11,
"dialogue": {
"text": "ze",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"startTime": 6.31,
"finishTime": 7.13,
"dialogue": {
"text": "zu",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"startTime": 8.27,
"finishTime": 9.15,
"dialogue": {
"text": "zū",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"startTime": 10.42,
"finishTime": 11.22,
"dialogue": {
"text": "zú",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"startTime": 12.55,
"finishTime": 13.52,
"dialogue": {
"text": "zǔ",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Wang Hua",
"opacity": 0,
"startTime": 14.02
}
]
}