u after q, x and j

[Alveranter]

I have a small problem with this one. My chinese book says that in order to pronounce q, x and j you are supposed to have the tongue flat in the mouth and the corners of the mouth drawn back as far as possible. So far so good.. and I know that "u" is pronounced "y" since the umlaut (ü) has been omitted after these three consonants. But having the corners of the mouth drawn back to a full extent and saying "y" is impossible.. try for yourselves.. the sound is instead an "i". So.. could anyone help me with this one.. I'd be sincerely grateful.

/Anton

[ala]

Um.. I believe the ü is a front closed rounded vowel, therefore your lips are gonna be rounded as well. The unrounded equivalent to ü (/y/) is i (/i/). Haha, so of course you are going to get qi if you try to stretch your lips flat.

At least that's how I've always pronounced it and I'm Chinese. In any case, don't pronounce it as qi. The vowel is like the "chu" in French. Or German: Tür.

[Quest]

My chinese book says that in order to pronounce q, x and j you are supposed to have the tongue flat in the mouth and the corners of the mouth drawn back as far as possible.

That's when you pronounce them individually-- j, q, x (ji, qi, xi)

but when they are followed by u:, your lips should become rounded to make the u: sound.

[smithsgj]

for the vowel, you have to round your lips and TRY to say i (I mean "ee")