Inner and Outer Vowel Series

The inner series of vowels (NeiZhuan 內轉) and outer series of vowels (WaiZhuan 外轉) plays an important role in differentiating the 16 She (攝) or rhyme categories, and also has a role to play in the Deng (等) or divisions of Chinese character rhyme tables.

Front Central Back

C
l
o
s
e H
i
g
h

M
i
d M
i
d

O
p
e
n L
o
w

Unrounded Rounded Unrounded Half rounded Rounded Unrounded Rounded

The above table shows some of the principle vowels. The Inner Series is represented by pale highlighted areas, whilst the rest of the table shows the Outer Series and tongue positioning.

Non-contrasting and allophone pairs are as follows.

Outer

Inner

Initials : Guangyun Rhymes : Inner and Outer Series : She : Deng : Rhyme Tables : Chinese


	Front		Central			Back
C l o s e								H i g h

M i d								M i d


O p e n								L o w
O p e n								L o w
	Unrounded	Rounded	Unrounded	Half rounded	Rounded	Unrounded	Rounded