Word Guide
How to pronounce 生日 (shēng rì)
生日 means "birthday". Use this guide to lock in the tone pattern, articulation target, and the mistake most learners still make.
Pinyin
shēng rì
Tone Pattern
Tone 1 + Tone 4
Pronunciation Focus
nasalFinal
How to say it
Listen for the front-versus-back nasal ending in 生日 (shēng rì) and keep the mouth position distinct on each syllable.
Phonetic Breakdown
sh+eng_r+i
Most common error
The nasal ending often gets neutralized so front and back finals sound too similar.
HSK Level
HSK1
Related pronunciation rules
Practice similar examples
聪明 (cōng míng)
Keep c forward and aspirated, then preserve the -ng ending in both syllables.
担心 (dān xīn)
Both syllables end with a front nasal, so let the tongue finish forward instead of drifting backward.
声音 (shēng yīn)
The first syllable ends in -ng, but the second ends in -n. Feel the mouth shift from back to front.
Hear the same pattern in sentences
请安静。 (qǐng ān jìng)
Move from a back nasal in qǐng to a front nasal in ān, then back again in jìng.
饭好了。 (fàn hǎo le)
Listen for the front-versus-back nasal ending in 饭好了。 (fàn hǎo le) and keep the mouth position distinct on each syllable.
风很大。 (fēng hěn dà)
Listen for the front-versus-back nasal ending in 风很大。 (fēng hěn dà) and keep the mouth position distinct on each syllable.