curriculum/challenges/english/blocks/zh-a1-learn-special-spelling-rules/6e3283825c63e4458a4bcfe5.md
Sometimes you see y and w at the start of a syllable. They are not initials. Think of them as special spelling symbols that clarify syllable boundaries and make syllables easier to read.
The rules for y are:
If i is used as a syllable, add y in front of it: i → yi.
If a syllable starts with i, change it to y. Examples: ia → ya, ie → ye, iao → yao, iou → you, iang → yang.
If ü is used as a syllable, add y in front of it and remove the dots: ü → yu.
Let's practice pronouncing the syllables and then use yang in different tones as an example.
| Pinyin | Character |
|---|---|
yāng | 央 |
yáng | 羊 |
yǎng | 养 |
yàng | 样 |
I've listened to the audio and practiced pronouncing the spelling symbol and syllables.
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"characters": [
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"position": {
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"audio": {
"filename": "ZH_A1_pinyin_special_spelling_rules.mp3",
"startTime": 1,
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"character": "Chen Na",
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"dialogue": {
"text": "y",
"align": "center"
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"dialogue": {
"text": "ya",
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"startTime": 5.7,
"finishTime": 6.58,
"dialogue": {
"text": "ye",
"align": "center"
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},
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"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 7.72,
"finishTime": 8.55,
"dialogue": {
"text": "yi",
"align": "center"
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"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 9.97,
"finishTime": 10.8,
"dialogue": {
"text": "yao",
"align": "center"
}
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"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 11.8,
"finishTime": 12.75,
"dialogue": {
"text": "you",
"align": "center"
}
},
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"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 14.02,
"finishTime": 14.91,
"dialogue": {
"text": "yang",
"align": "center"
}
},
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"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 16.32,
"finishTime": 17.25,
"dialogue": {
"text": "yu",
"align": "center"
}
},
{
"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 20.03,
"finishTime": 20.88,
"dialogue": {
"text": "yāng",
"align": "center"
}
},
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"character": "Chen Na",
"startTime": 21.78,
"finishTime": 22.67,
"dialogue": {
"text": "yáng",
"align": "center"
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"character": "Chen Na",
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"dialogue": {
"text": "yǎng",
"align": "center"
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"character": "Chen Na",
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"dialogue": {
"text": "yàng",
"align": "center"
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