Pinyin Initials and Finals Compatibility

1. Initials j, q, x

• Cannot combine with the “u group”:

  • u, ua, uo, uai, uei, uan, uen, uang, ueng

• ✅ They can combine with i group (i, ia, ie, iao, iou, ian, in, ing, iang, iong) and ü group (ü, üe, üan, ün).

2. Initials z, c, s, zh, ch, sh

• Cannot combine with the “i/ü group”:

  • i, ia, ie, iao, iou, ian, in, ing, iang, iong, üan, üen

• ✅ They can combine with u group (u, ua, uo, uai, uei, uan, uen, uang, ueng) and standalone i (as in zi, ci, si, zhi, chi, shi).