Zhuyin (Bopomofo)

Zhuyin, also known as Bopomofo, is a phonetic system used to transcribe Chinese sounds. It consists of 37 symbols representing individual sounds (phonemes), including consonants and vowels, which help readers learn pronunciation. Originating in Taiwan, Zhuyin is often used alongside Chinese characters in education, dictionaries, and input methods for digital devices. Unlike alphabetic systems, Bopomofo characters do not represent whole words but serve as a tool to clarify pronunciation and assist learners in mastering Chinese phonetics efficiently.