Writing Balance Rule: The left side (羽) is narrower and lighter, while the right side (支) provides a stable vertical anchor, maintaining an even left-right visual weight.
1. Meaning
wing
fin (of a fish or vehicle part resembling a wing)flank or side
The airplane's wings are flying through the clouds.
2. Sound
/[ʈ͡ʂʰi˥˩]/Tone: 51
翅
chìchi4
|
++
`(51)
=chì
Build the syllable
Step-by-step blending
chi
Tone mark placement: Tone mark sits on "i" per main-vowel priority (a > e > o; in -iu/-ui the mark takes the second vowel).
Initial Consonant
ch
Type: Aspirated Retroflex
Sounds like: tr retroflex sound with air release
AspiratedRetroflex
Airflow Tactile Test: Both curled tongue AND explosive puff of air! Tissue MUST fly.
Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip curled back near the hard palate, releasing a strong burst of breath.
Final Rhyme
i (-i*)
Vowel Group: -a vowel group
Sounds like: ee sound as in 'see'
Note: Written as 'i (-i*)', pronounced as rounded 'i' [y].
Mouth Shape Guide: Combine initial 'zh-' (jr) with final '-i' (rr/zz).
Common Learner Trap: Do NOT pronounce '-i' as 'ee' after zh-! Keep your tongue in the consonant position and buzz 'rr/zz'.
Tone
T4 (51)
5 → 1 (51)
4th Tone (High-Falling)
Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 starts high and drops sharply to the bottom, much like an emphatic English 'No!' or 'Stop!'
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Listening trap: Confusing the retroflex 'chì' with the dental/alveolar 'cì' or 'qì'. Remember that 'ch' requires curling the tongue back, whereas 'c' is flat and 'q' is a soft blade-alveolar sound.
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Physical Tone Gesture: A karate chop downward or a sharp downward nod of the head, representing the high-to-low pitch drop of Tone 4.
3. Writing
Topology: Left-right · Strokes: 10 strokes
Writing Balance Rule: The left side (羽) is narrower and lighter, while the right side (支) provides a stable vertical anchor, maintaining an even left-right visual weight.