声母是汉语音节开头的辅音。汉语有21个声母。各个声母由不同的发音部位和发音方法决定。
    An initial is the initial letter or letter combination in a Chinese syllable. In Chinese language there are 21 initials, which are determined by different pronouncing positions and methods.
    发音部位指气流受到阻碍的位置；发音方法指阻碍气流和解除阻碍的方式、气流的强弱以及声带是否颤动等。
    Pronouncing position refers to the position where airflow is blocked; pronouncing method refers to the way of blocking and unblocking airflow, intensity of airflow and whether the vocal cord vibrates.
    根据发音部位，可以将声母分为七类：双唇音，唇齿音、舌尖前音、舌尖中音、舌尖后音、舌面音、舌根音。
    According to pronouncing positions, the initials may be divided into seven kinds: bilabials, labiodentals, blade-alveolars, alveolars, blade-palatals, palatal, and velars.
    根据发音方法，可以将声母分为五类：塞音、擦音、塞擦音、鼻音、边音。
    According to pronouncing methods, the initials may be divided into five kinds: stops, fricatives, affricates, nasals, and laterals.

声母：b    p    m    f    z    c    s    d    t    n    l    zh    ch    sh    r    j    q    x    g    k    h    y    w