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Introduction

Introduction
Reasons to Learn
Usage worldwide

Spelling Rules

Pinyin Basics
Fake Initials
Treatment of ü
Vowel Shortening 
Tone Mark Rules

Pronunciation

Pronunciation Guide
Alphabet and Sounds

Applications of Pinyin

Dictionary Lookup
Computer Input

Pinyin Charts

Traditional Chart 

Modernized Charts:
Syllables Without Glides
Syllables With Glide i
Syllables With Glide u
Syllables With Glide ü

Placement of the tones

When writing Pinyin, the placement of the tone mark is determined by these rules:

1. If there is only one vowel, it takes the diacritic.
2. If there is more than one vowel, then the vowels {a}, {e}, or {o} take the diacritic.
3. If the vowel cluster is {ao}, then {a} takes the diacritic.
4. If the vowel cluster is {iu} or {ui}, the last letter takes the diacritic.

One additional rule in writing the diacritics is that whenever the diacritic is placed over an {i} , the dot of the i is replaced by the diacritic.

If the syllable takes the neutral tone, no diacritic is used.

Using Numbers in Place of Diacritics

Sometimes numbers are used to represent the tone diacritics. This is the case in computer input methods, and on any computer or print publication where use of the diacritics is deemed to be too cumbersome. The convention for using numbers in place of diacritics is to simply place the number at the end of the syllable.

Tone change and tone sandhi

Tone change and tone sandhi are not represented in Pinyin.