<p>Pinyin is not normally written with the characters. While 注音符號 (Zhuyin) has rules as to how the symbols are in relation to a character, 漢語拼音 (Pinyin) does not. Do not think of the two systems as equal.</p>

<p>Also, Zhuyin can be written on the top or on the right, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Education.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.edu.tw/files/site_content/M0001/juyin/jhs.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.edu.tw/files/site_content/M0001/juyin/jhs.htm</a></p>

<p>Click on both of the links here to see examples of both the vertical versions (直式) and the horizontal (橫式) versions.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-01T13:41:26.957Z
What do you mean when you say "do not think of the two systems as equal"? I never implied that they were, I'm simply asking if there are rules for where the Pinyin should go. As for Zhuyin, I have never seen the horizontal version, it must be very rare.
Olle Linge
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-01T04:46:18.827Z
2012-11-01T04:46:18.827Z
rypervenche
<p>I recently wrote a short article discussing the use of Pinyin and Zhuyin. One of the sentences I wrote, without thinking too much about it, was that Pinyin is normally written below the characters (in contrast with Zhuyin, which is written vertically on the right). However, I had two native speakers look at the text and both wanted to correct "below" to "above". They said Pinyin is usually written above the characters.</p>

<p>After looking through a dozen beginner textbooks, it seems much more common to write Pinyin below the characters, at least in this context. This is also what I find most in electronic or online dictionaries (MDBG, Pleco). However, a Google image search for 拼音 gives more diverse results with Pinyin sometimes written above the characters, sometimes below. My guess is that it doesn't matter much, but I have two questions:</p>

<p>1) Is there a defined standard for where Pinyin should be placed?
2) If so, are there any arguments (scientific or otherwise) for that decision?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-01T02:45:28.610Z
As a native speaker, I don't know any standard about the Pinyin's place. But it is strange that you see Pinyin is below chars in beginner books. In China main land, I think everyone is familiar with the "above" version when educated. Maybe the books you see is written for foreigners.
halfelf
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-01T06:52:03.437Z
Yes, I meant beginner textbooks for foreigners. I wasn't aware there were beginner textbooks for native speakers.
Olle Linge
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-02T01:21:51.577Z
Agree with halfelf that in textbooks for native speakers in mainland, Pinyin is definitely above characters.
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-02T06:32:02.170Z
This is interesting. Next time I go to the library, I'll check more textbooks for foreigners. Will report later. :)
Olle Linge
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-04T06:57:45.817Z
Check this post http://www.newsmth.net/bbstcon.php?board=Picture&gid=85363. There are some images of old textbooks in primary school in mainland China. Most Chinese born in 1980s and early 1990s used these.
halfelf
<pinyin>
Placement of Pinyin in relation to characters
# Placement of Pinyin in relation to characters

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-11-01)

I recently wrote a short article discussing the use of Pinyin and Zhuyin. One of the sentences I wrote, without thinking too much about it, was that Pinyin is normally written below the characters (in contrast with Zhuyin, which is written vertically on the right). However, I had two native speakers look at the text and both wanted to correct "below" to "above". They said Pinyin is usually written above the characters.

After looking through a dozen beginner textbooks, it seems much more common to write Pinyin below the characters, at least in this context. This is also what I find most in electronic or online dictionaries (MDBG, Pleco). However, a Google image search for 拼音 gives more diverse results with Pinyin sometimes written above the characters, sometimes below. My guess is that it doesn't matter much, but I have two questions:

1) Is there a defined standard for where Pinyin should be placed?
2) If so, are there any arguments (scientific or otherwise) for that decision?

**Tags:** pinyin
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: As a native speaker, I don't know any standard about the Pinyin's place. But it is strange that you see Pinyin is below chars in beginner books. In China main land, I think everyone is familiar with the "above" version when educated. Maybe the books you see is written for foreigners.  
> **username_0**: Yes, I meant beginner textbooks for foreigners. I wasn't aware there were beginner textbooks for native speakers.  
> **username_2**: Agree with halfelf that in textbooks for native speakers in mainland, Pinyin is definitely above characters.  
> **username_0**: This is interesting. Next time I go to the library, I'll check more textbooks for foreigners. Will report later. :)  
> **username_1**: Check this post http://www.newsmth.net/bbstcon.php?board=Picture&gid=85363. There are some images of old textbooks in primary school in mainland China. Most Chinese born in 1980s and early 1990s used these.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-11-01. Score: 0

Pinyin is not normally written with the characters. While 注音符號 (Zhuyin) has rules as to how the symbols are in relation to a character, 漢語拼音 (Pinyin) does not. Do not think of the two systems as equal.

Also, Zhuyin can be written on the top or on the right, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Education.

<http://www.edu.tw/files/site_content/M0001/juyin/jhs.htm>

Click on both of the links here to see examples of both the vertical versions (直式) and the horizontal (橫式) versions.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: What do you mean when you say "do not think of the two systems as equal"? I never implied that they were, I'm simply asking if there are rules for where the Pinyin should go. As for Zhuyin, I have never seen the horizontal version, it must be very rare.  

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