aspirate; aspiration
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to aspirate (in phonetics); to pronounce with a strong burst of air
technicalIn phonetics, describes the pronunciation of consonants (plosives and affricates) with a strong burst of air. Contrasts with 不送气 (unaspirated). Also called 吐气.
Fā发
zhè这
gè个
yīn音
shí时
yào要
sòng送
qì气
。
You need to aspirate when pronouncing this sound.
Pǔ普
tōng通
huà话
zhōng中
，
pp
t
、
k
dōut
yào
、
sòng
qìk
都
要
送
气
。
In Mandarin, p, t, and k all need to be aspirated.
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Sòng送
qì气
yǔ与
bù不
sòng送
qì气
de的
duì对
lì立
zài在
hàn汉
yǔ语
yǔ语
yīn音
xì系
tǒng统
zhōng中
hěn很
zhòng重
yào要
。
The contrast between aspirated and unaspirated sounds is very important in the Chinese phonological system.
Zhè这
gè个
yīn音
bù不
sòng送
qì气
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
tīng听
qǐ起
lái来
bǐ比
jiào较
róu柔
hé和
。
This sound is unaspirated, so it sounds softer.