Pinyin Lesson 12 – Zero Initials & Spelling Rules

LESSON NOTES

Chinese Pinyin Zero-Initial Syllables

We have learned the spelling rule of "j, q, x + ü", in today's lesson, "Zero Initial" is another Pinyin spelling rule that we need to know.

We’ve mentioned in our Pinyin Introduction lesson that a “Zero Initial” is when a Pinyin syllable is made up of a Final and a tone, without an Initial. There’re four situations based on how you write the syllable when there’s no Initial.

For all the Zero syllables in the Pinyin system, all we have to remember is the spelling rules when we write or type them. But the way to pronounce them remains the same.

No.1 - don't have to write any Initial

When there’s no Initial, that means the syllable starts with one of the following vowels, because all Finals in the Pinyin System start with these 6 vowels. So when the syllable starts with a, o, e, we’ll just write the syllable as it is.

No.2  - write “w” as a “Formal Initial”

When the Zero Initial syllable starts with the vowel “u”, we write "w" as a "Formal" Initial, which is not a real Initial.

For ua, uo, uai, uan, uang ueng, we’ll just replace the u with w, and they become wa, wo, wai, wan, wang, weng.

For u, ui, un, we’ll write them as wu, wei and wen.

No. 3 - write "y" as a “Formal Initial” for “i”

When the Zero Initial syllable starts with the vowel “i”, we write "y" as a “Formal Initial”.

For ia, ie, iao, ian, iang, iong, we’ll just replace "i" with "y" and make them ya, ye, yao, yan, yang, yong.

For i, in, ing and iu(iou), we’ll just write or type them as yi, yin, ying and you.

No.4 - write "y" as a “Formal Initial” for  "ü"

When the Zero Initial syllable starts with the vowel “ü”, we write "y" as a “Formal Initial” as well.

There are only four of them: ü, üe, ün, üan. For all of them we’ll add “y” at the beginning of the syllable and drop the two dots. So we have yu, yue, yuan, yun.

Summarize - How To Type Syllables With "ü"

I. For Pinyin syllables with  "ü" , please type "v" instead.

II. In some situations, "ü" in Finals "ü" "üe" "üan" "ün" are spelled and typed "u", the same way it is spelled. Please refer to Pinyin lessons:

• Pinyin Initials: j q x
• Compound Finals: üe üan ün 
• Pinyin spelling rules

❖ TIP: We strongly recommend beginners to finish our Pinyin Course and Tone Course as soon as possible.