What is Pinyin? How Does the Pinyin Table Help?

Chinese learners, especially foreigners, are no strangers to Pinyin. It is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between the Roman alphabet and the logographic nature of the Chinese language, making it easier to learn pronunciation and meaning.

Read on as Thao & Co. walks you through what Pinyin is and explains the Pinyin chart in detail.

What is Pinyin?

Pinyin is a phonetic system that uses the Latin alphabet to represent the Chinese sounds and intonation. Simply put, it consists of Latin letters combined with tonal marks to convey the pitch and rhythm of spoken Chinese.

Thanks to Pinyin, learners can produce Chinese syllables and even form words much more easily. There are three main components:

1. + Initials
2. + Finals
3. + Tones

What does the Pinyin Table include?

The Chinese Pinyin table includes:

+ Initials (Consonants): There are 23 initial sounds that appear at the beginning of a syllable.

1. ✦ Bilabials and a labiodental: b, p, m, and f
2. ✦ Alveolars (tongue tip): d, t, n, and l
3. ✦ Velars (tongue root): g, k, and h
4. ✦ Alveolo-palatals (tongue surface): j, q, and x
5. ✦ Retroflexes (tongue tip back): zh, ch, sh, and r
6. ✦ Dental sibilants (tongue tip front): z, c, and s
7. ✦ Approximants (semi-vowels): y and w

+ Finals (Vowels): There are 24 vowels that can stand alone or go with a consonant.

1. ✦ Single vowels: a, o, e, i, u, and ü
2. ✦ Compound vowels: ai, ei, ao, ou, ia, ie, uo, üe, iao, iou, uai, and uei
3. ✦ Nasal vowels: an, en, in, ün, uan, üan, uen, ang, eng, ing, ong, iong, uang, and ueng
4. ✦ Retroflex vowel: er

+ Tones: There are 4 main tones and a neutral tone.

1. ✦ 1st tone (¯): a high, flat pitch => E.g., mā (妈 – mom)
2. ✦ 2nd tone (´): a rising pitch => E.g., má (麻 – hemp)
3. ✦ 3rd tone (ˇ): a falling-rising pitch => E.g., mǎ (马 – horse)
4. ✦ 4th tone (`): a falling pitch => E.g., mà (骂 – scold)
5. ✦ Neutral tone: a light, unstressed sound, often unmarked with a tone => E.g., ma (吗 – question particle)

💡 Check out: The origin of Chinese characters.

What is Google Pinyin Input Method?

Google Pinyin Input Method is a tool that allows users to type Chinese using phonetic input. Over time, it has become increasingly optimized and is now integrated into Google’s official keyboard app, Gboard, available on both Android and iOS.

By typing the corresponding Latin letters of a word’s Pinyin, users can have Google automatically convert them into the appropriate Chinese characters. Gboard also supports voice typing, handwriting input, and AI-powered smart suggestions, making Chinese input faster and more intuitive.

💡 Discover the top-rated Chinese dictionaries used by many!

Here’s a quick guide to installing and using Gboard to type Pinyin:

+ Download and set up Gboard on your phone:

1. 1. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store, search for “Gboard” and tap “Install.”
2. 2. After installation, open “Settings” on your phone.

• • 🔺 For Android: Navigate to “Languages & Input” > Select “Gboard” > Choose “Add keyboard” > Search for “Chinese (Simplified/Traditional) – Pinyin.”
  • 🔺 For iOS: Navigate to “General” > Tap “Keyboard” > Select “Add New Keyboard” > Choose “Gboard” and enable “Allow Full Access.”

1. 3. When you want to type in Chinese, press the Globe icon 🌐 to switch to the language.
2. 4. Type in Pinyin (e.g., zhongguo) > Select the correct Chinese characters for it (e.g., 中国).

+ Other useful input methods on Gboard

1. 🔻 Voice input: Tap the microphone icon (🎙️) and speak in Chinese > Gboard will convert your voice into Chinese characters.
2. 🔻 Handwriting input: Select Handwriting mode when setting up the Chinese keyboard.
3. 🔻 Smart suggestions: Gboard also offers predictive text for Chinese characters as you type.

💡 Further reading: Is Chinese hard to learn?

How to Type in Chinese Pinyin on a PC?

1. Using Microsoft Pinyin on Windows

1. 1. Go to “Windows Settings,” select “Time & Language,” then click on “Language & Region.”
2. 2. Choose “Add a language,” search for “Chinese (Simplified/Traditional)” and select “Microsoft Pinyin.”
3. 3. To switch to the Pinyin input method while typing text, press Windows + Space.

2. Using the built-in Pinyin keyboard on macOS

1. 1. Go to “System Settings,” select “Keyboard,” choose “Input Sources,” and then “Chinese – Pinyin.”
2. 2. To switch input, press the Globe key or use Command + Space.

3. Using Google Translate

For a hassle-free option, simply type Pinyin directly in Google Translate. No installation needed!

1. 1. Visit the Google Translate website.
2. 2. Select Chinese – 中文 as the input language.
3. 3. Type Pinyin directly and Google Translate will display the corresponding Chinese characters below.

Takeaways

Above is the overview of Pinyin, along with a complete chart to help you get started. With it, looking up words, practicing pronunciation, and learning Chinese have become much more convenient.

But here’s the thing: when precision and context matter, especially in professional settings, Pinyin alone is not enough. That’s where Thao & Co.‘s quality Chinese translation and interpreting services come in. We take great pride in offering a more comprehensive and professional solution. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. 💎 Flawless translation crafted by our professional and seasoned linguists.
2. 💎 Transparent and competitive pricing with no hidden fees.
3. 💎 Streamlined workflow for rapid turnaround without compromising quality.
4. 💎 Utmost privacy and confidentiality protected by strict NDAs.

Interested in our translation services? Simply fill in your information on the contact page, and Thao & Co. will get back to you promptly with a detailed consultation!