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ㄅb
ㄅ — the bopomofo symbol for b
ㄅ is one of the 37 zhuyin symbols used to write Mandarin pronunciation in Taiwan. It is an initial, written b in pinyin and pronounced [p]. Like the b in "spot" — unvoiced and unaspirated, closer to English p than b.
- Pinyin
- b
- IPA
- [p]
- Called
- bo
- Type
- Lip sounds
How to say it
Press both lips together and release without a puff of air. Hold your palm in front of your mouth — you should feel almost nothing.
Closest English soundLike the b in "spot" — unvoiced and unaspirated, closer to English p than b.
Where the symbol comes from
勹
bāo · to wrap
→ ㄅ
The archaic form of 包 (bāo). The symbol keeps the top-left hook of the original character.
In a word
八
ㄅㄚ
bā
Eight
Do not mix it up with
Typing it
On the standard Taiwanese zhuyin keyboard, ㄅ sits on the 1 key.