bei6 jam1鼻音
Jyutpingbei6 jam1
Yalebeih yām
Definition
Nasal consonant; a consonant produced with an obstructed oral cavity, allowing airflow to pass through the nose.
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How it's used
Linguistically, this term refers to consonants like m, n, and ng where the velum is lowered to allow air to escape through the nose. In a casual classroom setting, teachers often use it to explain why certain words sound like they are humming or vibrating in the nasal cavity. It is a technical term that is widely understood by native speakers who have had basic schooling in phonetics or language studies.
Measure word
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When you pronounce this nasal, your mouth needs to be closed.
Which nasals are there in Cantonese?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the term with the concept of nasalization in vowels, which is a different phonological process. Ensure you are referring specifically to the consonant sounds when using this word.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
