The transcription above is in the pinyin spelling with tone marks (instead of numbers). Pinyin is an algorithmic system in that the pronunciation can always be derived from the spelling by applying certain rules. Thus, the letter u is not pronounced as |U| but is identical to ü after j, q, x and y (that is, after a |J| sound). The 'syllables' qún, xù and yú must therefore be read as if written with an ü. Another example is the a, which is pronounced as |E| instead of |AH| before a single n and after i, ü (or u) and y. The a in the syllables miàn, qián, jiān and xiàn therefore sounds as an |E|.