I could be wrong...
... but chances are you've come across a number of Chinese words that seem harder to pronounce than others.
They're not necessarily unusual or unusually long.
It's just that the sounds and tones combine in ways that make them feel like
mini tongue twisters!
For example:
出租车 chū zū chē
自行车 zì xíng chē
四十四 sì shí sì
洗手间 xǐ shǒu jiān
In this video I share a simple 3-step process for getting your mouth muscles around words like these in no time.
Here's the process in a nutshell:
➀ Listen carefully to the word. (Don't speak, just listen)
➁ Say each syllable slowly. (Don't forget the tones!)
➂ Repeat the word faster and faster. (Gradually increase the speed until you can say it comfortably at somewhat natural speed)
Practice with these words:
1. 现在 xiàn zài (now)
Slooow:
Faster:
Natural:
2. 香水 xiāng shuǐ (perfume)
Slooow:
Faster:
Natural:
3. 洗手间 xǐ shǒu jiān (washroom)
Slooow:
Faster:
Natural:
4. 四川菜 sì chuān cài (Sichuan cuisine )
Slooow:
Faster:
Natural:
5. 七双鞋子 qī shuāng xié zi (seven pairs of shoes)
Slooow:
Faster:
Natural:
