Introduction to Initials

There are 21 initials in Mandarin. They are shown below:

In Mandarin, only the two nasal initial consonants "m" and "n", the lateral initial "l", and the approximant "r" are voiced. All stops, affricates, and fricatives are voiceless, showing a parallel with the consonant characteristics of Cantonese and a marked contrast with those of English. In addition, whether a consonant is aspirated or unaspirated is a crucial feature in differentiating Mandarin consonants, as it is in Cantonese.