curriculum/challenges/english/blocks/zh-a1-learn-special-spelling-rules/69cbcca55d67a4e2591ff9ae.md
In Pinyin, 16 syllables are regarded as single units rather than being broken into initials and finals. These are called whole syllables.
They are zhi, chi, shi, ri, zi, ci, si, yi, wu, yu, ye, yue, yuan, yin, yun, and ying. You've already seen some of them in previous lessons.
Here you'll learn zhi, chi, shi, ri. In these syllables, i does not represent the standard vowel sound. Instead, it represents a unique vocal extension specific to the consonants zh, ch, sh and r.
Let's practice pronouncing the whole syllables, and then use shi in different tones as an example.
| Pinyin | Character |
|---|---|
shī | 师 |
shí | 十 |
shǐ | 史 |
shì | 是 |
I've listened to the audio and practiced pronouncing the whole syllables.
{
"setup": {
"background": "company1-breakroom.png",
"characters": [
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"position": {
"x": 50,
"y": 15,
"z": 1.4
},
"opacity": 0
}
],
"audio": {
"filename": "ZH_A1_pinyin_special_spelling_rules.mp3",
"startTime": 1,
"startTimestamp": 77.32,
"finishTimestamp": 93.31
}
},
"commands": [
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"opacity": 1,
"startTime": 0
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 1,
"finishTime": 1.95,
"dialogue": {
"text": "zhi",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 2.7,
"finishTime": 3.91,
"dialogue": {
"text": "chi",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 4.75,
"finishTime": 5.93,
"dialogue": {
"text": "shi",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 6.93,
"finishTime": 7.96,
"dialogue": {
"text": "ri",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 9.97,
"finishTime": 11.1,
"dialogue": {
"text": "shī",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 11.97,
"finishTime": 13.13,
"dialogue": {
"text": "shí",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 14.03,
"finishTime": 15.44,
"dialogue": {
"text": "shǐ",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 16.03,
"finishTime": 16.99,
"dialogue": {
"text": "shì",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"opacity": 0,
"startTime": 17.49
}
]
}