How to learn the correct pronunciation of words with "sh" and "s"?
I think the easiest way to handle these two pronunciations is to know the difference in position of the tongue when pronouncing them. The pictures below show the correct positions.
Let's start with the easy one, &quot;s&quot;, as in 思, 死, 四. It is the same as the ending sound of &quot;s&quot;, or the beginning of a word with &quot;s&quot; be the first letter. The sound is produced with air through the gap of the teeth while the tip of the tongue touches the lower tooth.
The lips are open.
&quot;sh&quot;, as in 師, 時, 使, 是, is the more difficult one, it is difficult to even the native speakers, whom, similar to the English, there is no such sound in their's dialogues.
However, luckily, the method to make that sound pronounced correctly is similar to the letter &quot;r&quot;, that is the tongue needs to be curled up with the tip of the tongue close to, or barely touches, the upper plate of the mouth. Unlike &quot;r&quot;, there is the air that flows out from between the tongue and the upper plate to make the sound. The lips remain open as well. (Note, do not over curl the tongue as in &quot;r&quot;, you can keep the tongue slightly tilt up let the tip get close to the front upper plate.)
Once you know the difference, it is quite easy to distinguish the two.
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