Tone pair 4-3

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This page will cover some examples of the 1-4 tone pair, which Sinosplice rates as a "3" on a difficulty rating of 1-7 (easiest to hardest).

Practice this tone pair using the words below. Once you can say them reliable in isolation (as just a tone pair), try putting them in longer sentences while keeping the tones accurate.

4-3 Tone Pair Diagram

It helps many learners to see the two tones side by side.

Tone Pair 4-3 cropped.png

4-3 Tone Pair Words (A2)

If you're just getting started with tone pairs, these simple two-syllable words and phrases are a good place to start. If these are too easy, you may want to move onto the longer (B1) phrases below.

Audio Chinese Pinyin English
一起 yīqǐ together
下雨 xiàyǔ to rain
电脑 diànnǎo computer
上午 shàngwǔ coffee
下午 xiàwǔ afternoon, p.m.

Remember: the word 一起 (yīqǐ) has a tone change, which means it is pronounced "yìqǐ" (a 4-3 tone pair).

Source: AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)

4-3 Tone Pair Phrases (B1)

Audio Chinese Pinyin English
坐地铁 zuò dìtiě to take the subway
去上海 qù Shànghǎi to go to Shanghai
电脑不好 diànnǎo bù hǎo computer is not good
不想父母 bù xiǎng fùmǔ to not miss (one's) parents
下午下雨 xiàwǔ xiàyǔ to rain in the afternoon

Remember: the word 一起 (yīqǐ) has a tone change, which means it is pronounced "yìqǐ" (a 4-3 tone pair).

Source: AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)

4-3 Tone Pair Combos

Audio Chinese Pinyin English
(coming) 太老 tài lǎo too old
(coming) 太早 tài zǎo too early
(coming) 太小 tài xiǎo too small
(coming) 太美 tàiměi too beautiful
(coming) 太短 tài duǎn too short

Source: Sinosplice's Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills (used with permission)

Sources and further reading

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