The letters in the Pinyin is confusing. How do you differentiate a B w/ P? How do you differentiate a T and D?

How do you differentiate a B w/ P? How do you differentiate a T w/ D? How do you differentiate a Q w/ J? Is there a rule for these?

Those letters sound like they would in English. The real challenges are learning the vowels. I don't know any specific rule. Just keep listening and learning.

Thank you! I am so confused with the sounds or is just my hearing. Well ill try to listen carefully again

I mentioned in the other thread a online textbook from MIT: http://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-21f-003-learning-chinese-a-foundation-course-in-mandarin-spring-2011/online-textbook/part-i-introduction-units-1-4-character-lessons-1-3/ It has a chapter on pinyin along with audio files that can help. Sometimes, the pinyin can bias your thinking in the wrong direction. Often, you need to listen carefully without looking at the pinyin.