curriculum/challenges/english/blocks/zh-a1-learn-nasal-finals/6443b73bbf10340469de3ab0.md
The front nasal final ian may look like it has three parts: i, a, and n, but its real pronunciation is more like a fast blend of i and a light nasal ending.
Start by forming the i sound, with your tongue close to the roof of your mouth and your lips slightly spread. Then, glide quickly into a very short transition sound similar to the e in ie, and end with the front nasal n, putting the tip of your tongue behind your upper teeth. The sound should be smooth and continuous.
When ian is combined with the initials, it can form syllables like bian, pian, mian, dian, nian, and lian.
Let's practice pronouncing ian and the syllables, and then use xian in different tones as an example.
| Pinyin | Character |
|---|---|
xiān | 先 |
xián | 咸 |
xiǎn | 显 |
xiàn | 现 |
I've listened to the audio and practiced pronouncing the nasal final and syllables.
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"audio": {
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"text": "ian",
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"startTime": 3.24,
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"dialogue": {
"text": "bian",
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"startTime": 5.41,
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"dialogue": {
"text": "pian",
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"startTime": 7.88,
"finishTime": 8.74,
"dialogue": {
"text": "mian",
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"startTime": 10.12,
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"dialogue": {
"text": "dian",
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},
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"character": "Li Hong",
"startTime": 12.23,
"finishTime": 13.08,
"dialogue": {
"text": "nian",
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"startTime": 14.77,
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"dialogue": {
"text": "xiān",
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"dialogue": {
"text": "xián",
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"dialogue": {
"text": "xiǎn",
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"dialogue": {
"text": "xiàn",
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