How to Pronounce "x" in Mandarin Chinese

One of the greatest challenges in learning Mandarin Chinese is mastering the sounds not found in English. Among the most challenging sounds are the "q", the "x" and the "j". This "How To" will explain, step-by-step, how to produce the "x" sound.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a normally functioning tongue
• a bit of patience

1. One of the greatest challenges in learning Mandarin Chinese is mastering the sounds not found in English. Among the most challenging sounds are the "q", the "x" and the "j". This "How To" will explain, step-by-step, how to produce the "x" sound.
   
   To find this sound, start making a hissing "s" sound. When doing this, the tip of your tongue will be barely touching the lower front teeth, and there will be a lot of air rushing out of the front of your mouth.

2. Now, lower the tip of the tongue just a bit--you should be able to just feel the gumline of the lower teeth. You will notice that the sound becomes a lot airier and the pitch is a bit lower.
   
   This is the "x" sound in Mandarin Chinese!

3. It is important to remember that only vowels follow "x" in Mandarin Chinese, so it's a good idea to practice the sound with all of the vowel combinations to get a good feeling for how it is used.
   
   Some of the most common combinations are:
   
   xue ("ue" is "oo" rolled into a "eh")
   xiang ("iang" is "ee" rolled into "ong")
   xi ("i" is "ee")
   xiao ("iao" is "ee" rolled into "ow")

Tips & Warnings

• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! This sound is not at all used in English and is terribly awkward in most non-Chinese speakers' mouths. Keep at it and it will come!
• Before this sound is mastered (and it may be one of the last ones to conquer), it is better to pronounce words with the"x" closer to a "s" than a "sh", as you will be better understood by Mandarin natives. For example, the city Xi'an is more easily comprehended when said "Si'an" (see-an) rather than "Shi'an" (shee-an).
• This "x" sound is very distinct from the Mandarin Chinese "sh"! That "sh" sound is made with the tongue curved back, and to Mandarin speakers, the two are black and white different. Remember to keep your tongue flat and forward!