Minimal pair · Standard Mandarin (Putonghua), isolated citation tones
Mandarin /p/ vs /pʰ/Unaspirated and aspirated p
Learn to hear the difference between p and pʰ in Mandarin words.
Practice these sounds/p/
An unvoiced lip closure
The lips close briefly and release. Listen to the opening consonant in the reference variety used here.
As in包
/pʰ/
The pʰ category
Listen for the target sound in each word.
As in抛
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Learn to hear the difference between p and pʰ in Mandarin words.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each word包
/pau˥/wrap八
/pa˥/eight杯
/pei˥/cup帮
/pɑŋ˥/help冰
/piŋ˥/ice抛
/pʰau˥/throw; toss趴
/pʰa˥/lie face down批
/pʰi˥/classifier for a batch拼
/pʰin˥/piece together坡
/pʰwo˥/slope10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.