Tone pairs

Foreign Languages

Definition

Tone pairs refer to the way two consecutive tones interact in Mandarin Chinese when syllables are spoken together. The most important rule is the third-tone sandhi: when two third tones appear in a row, the first one changes to a second tone in pronunciation.

Examples

  • 你好 (nǐ hǎo) is pronounced ní hǎo because two third tones in a row trigger tone sandhi
  • 水果 (shuǐ guǒ) — first syllable shifts toward second tone in natural speech
  • 一 (yī) changes to yí before 4th tone and yì before 1st, 2nd, or 3rd tones
Key Fact

Third-tone sandhi rule: 3rd + 3rd → 2nd + 3rd in pronunciation (written tones don't change). Example: 你好 written nǐhǎo, spoken níhǎo.

Related Terms

Four tones Pinyin initials and finals Measure words Self-introduction

Study This Concept

Practice tone pairs with free review games in these units:

Mandarin Chinese 1 Unit 1: Pinyin and Tones