Pinyin final: "ou5"

/ou̯/

The Pinyin final "ou5" is used in the second half of Pinyin syllables. In MandarinBanana's mnemonic system, the second half of a Pinyin syllable is always represented by a location. You can visit the Pinyin index to see all Pinyin syllables from this mnemonic group, or to see all Pinyin syllables "ou5" can appear in.

Pronunciation Tips

The “Cheat Code”

Think of the vowel in English “go” (American accent), but make it cleaner and shorter, then glide into a quick “oo” at the end.

Mouth Mechanics (step-by-step)

Start relaxed and open: Jaw slightly open; tongue resting comfortably in the middle of the mouth (not bunched up).
Begin with an “oh” shape:
- Lips: gently rounded (like starting to say “oh”).
- Teeth: slightly apart (not clenched).
- Tongue: middle/back of the tongue slightly raised, but the tip stays relaxed behind the lower front teeth.
Glide to “oo” quickly:
- Without stopping the sound, round your lips a bit more and push them slightly forward.
- The tongue subtly shifts so the back of the tongue lifts a little more, matching the more “oo-like” ending.
Keep it one smooth syllable: It should feel like one continuous vowel with a gentle slide, not two separate vowels.
Neutral tone reminder for “ou5”: If this final is shown as ou5, it’s typically read with a light, quick, unstressed feel, letting the syllable be short and unobtrusive in the phrase.

English Approximation (what to copy and how)

Use these as “close-enough” anchors, then adjust:

go: use the main vowel in “go” (the sound right after the “g”), but avoid making it too long.
so: again, copy the main vowel, aiming for a clean “oh” that quickly slides toward “oo.”
toe: copy the vowel, but don’t “smile” the lips at the end—keep them rounded so the ending can glide toward “oo.”

Important adjustment for many English speakers: In English, “go/so/toe” often end with a noticeable off-glide or extra movement that can sound a bit exaggerated. For Mandarin ou, make the glide smaller and tighter, with a quick finish.

Common Mistakes (English-speaker habits to avoid)

Making it two syllables: Don’t say “oh-oo” with a break. It must stay one smooth sound.
Overdoing the English “long O”: English “go” can be very drawn out. Mandarin ou is usually more compact.
Ending with an “R” sound (common in some American accents): Don’t let “ou” turn into something like “oar/or.” Keep the tongue not curled back.
Flattening the lips at the end: If your lips spread (a slight smile), it stops sounding like ou.

Practice Pairs (visualizing the target sound)

Pinyin syllable	Say it like… (English approximation)	What to imitate
lou5	“low”	The rounded ‘lo-’ vowel, then a quick glide toward “oo”
tou5	“toe”	The ‘to-’ vowel, but shorter, with a rounded finish

Note: These English words are approximations. Keep Mandarin ou shorter and more centered, with a small, smooth glide.

Comparisons & Caveats (similar Pinyin sounds)

ou vs. o:
ou has a clear glide toward “oo” at the end. A pure o is more of a steady “oh” quality without that same “moving” finish.
ou vs. u:
u is basically the “oo” sound throughout (very rounded and forward from the start). ou starts more like “oh” and only moves toward “oo” at the end.
ou vs. ao:
ao starts with a more open “ah” quality and then glides; ou starts more rounded (“oh”) and glides to “oo.”
Watch the final lip shape:
The most reliable cue is that ou ends with tighter lip rounding than it begins—like you’re gently preparing to say “oo,” but without adding a separate syllable.