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SoundsThere are 19 initials and 51 finals in Cantonese. These combine to form about 590 sounds. A word consists of (initial) + final + tone. In some cases the initial can be omitted. To hear a particular initial or final, you can use the Cantonese Sound Chart. Initials:b, ch, d, f, g, gw, h, j, k, kw, l, m, n, ng, p, s, t, w, yThe initial Ng often gives learners difficulty. It is a nasal sound much like "mmm, mmm". While this sound is very important and is always used in "proper" Cantonese, many contemporary speakers are beginning to omit this initial sound. A learner who cannot pronounce the sound correctly at first can simply omit the sound and speak the final, however it is recommended to use the sound if possible. |
The initial /N/ is also special in that it is often changed into an [L] sound. So the word "night" in English would be pronounced "light". The reverse, however is not true. Initial /L/ sounds do not become [N] sounds. In general, any initial /N/ sound can be changed to an [L] and it won't even be noticed. The [N] pronunciation is often heard in formal readings/formal speech. In casual speech, it may seem unnatural or overly formal to some natives.
Below is a list of the Cantonese finals. Notes on more difficult sounds follow below.
aa |
a |
e |
eu |
i |
o |
u |
yu |
aam |
am |
|
|
im |
|
|
|
aan |
an |
|
eun |
in |
on |
un |
yun |
aap |
ap |
|
|
ip |
|
|
|
aat |
at |
|
eut |
it |
ot |
ut |
yut |
aak |
ak |
ek |
euk |
ik |
ok |
uk |
|
aang |
ang |
eng |
eung |
ing |
ong |
ung |
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|
|
|
|
|
aai |
ai |
ei |
eui |
|
oi |
ui |
|
aau |
au |
|
|
iu |
ou |
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