Chinese Course

Initials and finals are the foundation of pinyin, and it's important to pay attention to mouth shape and where the sound comes from. Try listening to standard recordings and repeating them. You can also use mouth diagrams to help understand the differences in pronunciation and gradually improve your ability to distinguish them.

The four tones can be tricky, but you can master them through practice. Each tone has a distinct pitch change. Beginners should practice each tone by comparing them to each other, and use recordings to check their pronunciation against the standard. Visual aids, like tone contour charts, can also help you grasp the tonal differences.

You can improve your memory by categorizing the pinyin combinations. Group common combinations (like "b-ao," "m-ao") together for practice and link them with daily vocabulary to reinforce your memory through usage. Using a pinyin chart and regular review will also help boost retention.