The chinese pinyin initial

The pinyin initial may be divided into 7 kinds according to the point of pronunciation:

(1)  3 is bilabials (b, p, m);

(2)  1 labiodentals (f);

(3)  3 dentals  (z, c, s);

(4) 4 blade-alveolares (d, t, n, l);(5) 4 blade-palatals (zh, ch, sh, r);

(6) 3 dorsals (j, q, x);

(7) 3 velars (g, k, h).

The pinyin initial may be divided into 5 kinds according to the pronunciation method:

(1) 6 plosives (b, p, d, t, g, k);

(2) 3 nasals (m, n, ng, in which only then m, n makes initial consonant);

(3) 6 fricatives (f, h, x, sh, s, r);

(4) 1 lateral sound  (l);

(5) 6 affricates (j, q, zh, ch, z, c). 

Chinese pinyin initial may be divided into 2 kinds (the voiceless sound, the voiced sound) according to the vocal cord vibration when pronounce . In the pinyin initial are all the voiceless sounds except m, n, l, r. Pinyin initial  also may be divided into 2 kinds( the aspirates and the unaspirated sound) according to air current when pronounce. The aspirates and the unaspirated sound are pair, like b and p, d and t, g and k, z and c, zh and ch, j and q.