mandarin-rhyme

name	mandarin-rhyme
description	Rules for rhyming in poetry based on modern Mandarin (Pinyin).

Modern Mandarin Rhyming (现代汉语押韵)

Traditionally, Chinese poetry used the "Pingshui Rhymes" (平水韵). However, for modern audiences or specific tasks, rhyming based on the 18 main rhyme groups of modern Mandarin (often called "Shi Ba Yun" 十八韵) is common.

1. Core Concept

In modern poetry, characters that share the same main vowel and coda (if any) in Pinyin are considered to rhyme.

2. Common Rhyme Groups (Modern Mandarin)

• A (阿): a, ia, ua.
• AN (安): an, ian, uan, üan.
• ANG (昂): ang, iang, uang.
• AO (奥): ao, iao.
• E/O (鹅/喔): e, o, uo.
• EI (诶): ei, uei (ui).
• EN (恩): en, in, uen (un), ün.
• ENG (亨): eng, ing, ueng.
• I/Ü (衣/鱼): i, ü.
• OU (欧): ou, iou (iu).

3. Rules for Regulated Verse (律诗)

• Rhyme Position: Lines 2, 4, 6, 8. (Line 1 is optional).
• Rhyme Tone: Typically, rhymes must all be in the "Level" tone (平声 - 1st or 2nd tone in Mandarin).

4. Usage in Task

• Choose a rhyme group (e.g., "ANG").
• Ensure the last characters of lines 1 (optional), 2, 4, 6, and 8 have pinyin ending in "ang/iang/uang" and are in the 1st or 2nd tone.