Pinyin-Initial-b p m f

b p m f
You can listen and practise here. Just press the little loudspeaker button and you can hear it.

b: Similar to the 'b' in 'bike', but is more accurately the 'p' in 'spelling' in the sense that it is unaspirated.
p: Like the 'p' in 'pie'. Notice now this 'p' is aspirated.
m:Just as 'm' in 'mind' as in English.
f: Just as 'f' in 'fake' as in English.

CC's Note:
The aspirated/unaspirated distinction is a mojor feature of Chinese you may want to notice. The difference just lies in whether there is an absense of aspiration. For aspirated sounds, like 'p', you need to add a strong puff of air, while for unaspirated ones, like 'b', you better release less or no air. It's easy to compare, just put your hand in front of your mouth when you practise these two and feel the difference in the flow of air from it.

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