This set of Cantonese initials are pronounced like the Putonghua set.
The Cantonese /b-/ & Putonghua [b] are both voiceless (that is, different from the voiced ‘b’ of English).
For example:
| 巴 | 俾 | 播 | 胖 |
|---|---|---|---|
| baa1 | bei2 | bo3 | bun6 |
2. The Cantonese /p-/ & Putonghua [p] are the same, which is more or less like the ‘p’ of English.
For example:
| 趴 | 排 | 拼 | 編 |
|---|---|---|---|
| paa1 | paai4 | ping3 | pin1 |
For English speakers, note that the difference between /b-/ and /p-/ is one of aspiration, that is, a strong burst of air. For example, the ‘p’ in ‘pa’ is clearly aspirated; whereas the ‘p’ in ‘spa’ is not. Cantonese /b-/ is identical to the English unaspirated ‘p’.
3. The Cantonese /m-/ & Putonghua [m] are the same, as is the ‘m’ of English.
For example:
| 媽 | 咩 | 摸 | 晚 |
|---|---|---|---|
| maa1 | me1 | mo2 | maan5 |
4. The Cantonese /f-/ & Putonghua [f] are the same, as is the ‘f’ of English.
For example:
| 花 | 啡 | 飛 | 課 |
|---|---|---|---|
| faa1 | fe1 | fei1 | fo3 |
Although the Cantonese initials are pronounced like their Putonghua counterparts, they do not correspond so neatly in actual words. In the examples above, the initials of ‘胖編晚花課’ do not correspond. For more, see ‘Sound Correspondences between Cantonese & Putonghua’.
As to aspiration, see ‘Cantonese Characteristics - Aspiration’.