1. The Initial Pair gw and kw

Cantonese SoundAspirationIPA
Initial gwUnaspirated[kʷ]
Initial kwAspirated 💨[kʷʰ]

The initials gw and kw are similar to the initials g and k combined with the initial w respectively.

The Initial gw

Step 1  Listen to the initial gw.

gw

Step 2  Listen and repeat.

gw

Soft palate: The back of the roof of your mouth

The Initial kw

Step 1  Listen to the initial kw.

kw

Step 2  Listen and repeat.

kw

Soft palate: The back of the roof of your mouth

Practice  Practice saying the initials gw and kw with different finals. Listen and repeat.

  1. gw ‒ aa ‒ gwaa1
    kw ‒ aa ‒ kwaa1
    gwaa1 kwaa1
  2. gw ‒ ai ‒ gwai1
    kw ‒ ai ‒ kwai1
    gwai1 kwai1
  3. gw ‒ an ‒ gwan2
    kw ‒ an ‒ kwan2
    gwan2 kwan2
  4. gw ‒ ok ‒ gwok3
    kw ‒ ok ‒ kwok3
    gwok3 kwok3

Made with in Hong Kong.

© 2024 Open Cantonese. All rights reserved.