This chart differs from standard IPA in that [a] is classified as a low central vowel instead of a low front vowel. The sounds in blue are found in Modern Standard Mandarin. When you click on a symbol, you will hear the sound pronounced in a level tone.
Click the “Pinyin/IPA” below above to toggle between the two representations.
Pinyin / IPA
Front | Central | Back | |
High | i i y ü | ɨ ʉ | ɯ u u |
Mid-High | e e ø | ɤ e o o | |
Mid | ə e | ||
Mid-Low | ɛ e œ | ɐ | ʌ ɔ o |
Low | æ | a a | ɑ ɒ |