5. The Initial Pair d and t

Cantonese SoundAspirationIPASimilar English Sound
Initial dUnaspirated[t]d as in do
Initial tAspirated 💨[tʰ]t as in to

The Initial d

Step 1  Listen to the initial d.

d

Step 2  Listen and repeat.

d

Blade of tongue: The flat part just behind your tongue tip

Alveolar ridge: The small ridge just behind your upper front teeth

The Initial t

Step 1  Listen to the initial t.

t

Step 2  Listen and repeat.

t

Blade of tongue: The flat part just behind your tongue tip

Alveolar ridge: The small ridge just behind your upper front teeth

Practice  Practice saying the initials d and t with the final aa. Listen and repeat.

  1. d ‒ aa ‒ daa1
  2. t ‒ aa ‒ taa1
  3. daa1 taa1

Made with in Hong Kong.

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