<p>In IPA transcriptions of Chinese, <code>ying</code> is usually written as: [iŋ]. This is exactly like <code>yin</code>, except with an "ng" sound. However, as you noticed, some people pronounce it a little differently. <a href="http://online.sfsu.edu/~wenchao/presentations/phonetic.pdf">This paper</a> (page 9) transcribes the alternate pronunciation as [iɘŋ]. Wouldn't really call it an "o" sound, but the vowel <em>is</em> different than that of the <code>yin</code>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-03T20:02:14.997Z
2012-09-03T20:02:14.997Z
Stumpy Joe Pete
<p>Look at 1:54 and 5:22 of this video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Ayvjy-Dgs">Chinese Pinyin in 6 Mins</a></p>

<p>Is <code>ying</code> really pronounced with an "o" sound?  This seems counterintuitive, especially when <code>yin</code> (at 1:49 in the video) sounds as a native English speaker would expect.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T01:18:22.213Z
I think the pronunciation largely depends on which part of China the speaker comes from. In that video, I sense a distinctive northern China accent.
nfang
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-05T03:10:16.560Z
This pronunciation can be found in very standardised Taiwanese Mandarin as well, such as heard on language proficiency exams and similar.
Olle Linge
<pronunciation><pinyin>
Pinyin "ying" has an "o" sound?
# Pinyin "ying" has an "o" sound?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-09-03)

Look at 1:54 and 5:22 of this video: [Chinese Pinyin in 6 Mins](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Ayvjy-Dgs)

Is `ying` really pronounced with an "o" sound? This seems counterintuitive, especially when `yin` (at 1:49 in the video) sounds as a native English speaker would expect.

**Tags:** pronunciation, pinyin

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think the pronunciation largely depends on which part of China the speaker comes from. In that video, I sense a distinctive northern China accent.  
> **username_2**: This pronunciation can be found in very standardised Taiwanese Mandarin as well, such as heard on language proficiency exams and similar.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-09-03. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

In IPA transcriptions of Chinese, `ying` is usually written as: [iŋ]. This is exactly like `yin`, except with an "ng" sound. However, as you noticed, some people pronounce it a little differently. [This paper](http://online.sfsu.edu/~wenchao/presentations/phonetic.pdf) (page 9) transcribes the alternate pronunciation as [iɘŋ]. Wouldn't really call it an "o" sound, but the vowel *is* different than that of the `yin`.


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