B1 pronunciation points

"B1" (Intermediate) is the third level, as defined by the European Common Framework, which is used on this Chinese Pronunciation Wiki. It is roughly equivalent to HSK Level 3. For more information on the levels used here, see the Pronunciation Points by Level page. There are 32 total pronunciation points in the list below.

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Pinyin

Level Pronunciation Point Summary
B1 Tough sounds (advanced) Certain sounds and sound combinations STILL need extra attention.
1. Tough sounds x-sh-, q-ch-, j-zh- (phrases) Hopefully the x-, q-, and -j initials are less foreign foreign now, But they undoubtedly still need practice!
2. Tough sounds r- (phrases) English-speakers needs dedicate practice to master the r- initial sound.
3. Tough sounds -e (phrases) Even at the intermediate level, most learners benefit from extra practice of the Mandarin "e" sound.
4. Tough sounds -ou-uo (phrases) If you still occasionally get your "ou" and "-uo" vowel sounds mixed up, then it's time to master them.
5. Tough sounds -ü-u (phrases) Intermediate learners should no longer be deceived by the "stealth ü" vowel, but often still need practice with it.
6. Tough sounds -un (phrases) Sometimes the "-un" sound can still trip people up, even at the intermediate level.
B1 Rare syllable You won't find these in our chart, but if you're an intermediate learner, it's time to let you in on the little secret of these syllables' existence.

Tones

Level Pronunciation Point Summary
B1 Tone pairs It's not enough to know the tones; you need to PRACTICE them in each combination, until it becomes second nature.
1. Tone pair 1-1 For example: 今天 (jīntiān), 星期 (xīngqī), 咖啡 (kāfēi)
2. Tone pair 1-2 For example: 突然 (tūrán), 加油 (jiāyóu), 空调 (kōngtiáo)
3. Tone pair 1-3 For example: 多少 (duōshǎo), 喝酒 (hējiǔ), 机场 (jīchǎng)
4. Tone pair 1-4 For example: 因为 (yīnwèi), 说话 (shuōhuà), 工作 (gōngzuò)
5. Tone pair 1-0 For example: 舒服 (shūfu), 清楚 (qīngchu), 知识 (zhīshi)
6. Tone pair 2-1 For example: 昨天 (zuótiān), 明天 (míngtiān), 回家 (huíjiā)
7. Tone pair 2-2 For example: 平时 (píngshí), 流行 (liúxíng), 无聊 (wúliáo)
8. Tone pair 2-3 For example: 如果 (rúguǒ), 苹果 (píngguǒ), 朋友 (péngyǒu)
9. Tone pair 2-4 For example: 还是 (háishì), 然后 (ránhòu), 不错 (bùcuò)
10. Tone pair 2-0 For example: 便宜 (piányi), 麻烦 (máfan)
11. Tone pair 3-1 For example: 已经 (yǐjīng), 喜欢 (xǐhuan), 手机 (shǒujī)
12. Tone pair 3-2 For example: 很忙 (hěn máng), 以前 (yǐqián), 有名 (yǒumíng)
13. Tone pair 3-3 For example: 你好 (nǐhǎo), 很好 (hěn hǎo), 有点 (yǒudiǎn)
14. Tone pair 3-4 For example: 以后 (yǐhòu), 早饭 (zǎofàn), 好看 (hǎokàn)
15. Tone pair 3-0 For example: 走吧 (zǒu ba), 跑啊 (pǎo a), 买了 (mǎi le)
16. Tone pair 4-1 For example: 上班 (shàngbān), 蛋糕 (dàngāo), 一些 (yīxiē)
17. Tone pair 4-2 For example: 上学 (shàngxué), 问题 (wèntí), 去年 (qùnián)
18. Tone pair 4-3 For example: 一起 (yīqǐ), 下雨 (xiàyǔ), 电脑 (diànnǎo)
19. Tone pair 4-4 For example: 现在 (xiànzài), 重要 (zhòngyào), 电话 (diànhuà)
20. Tone pair 4-0 For example: 去吧 (qù ba), 到了 (dào le), 漂亮 (piàoliang)
B1 Tone changes for multiple consecutive third tones For example: 法语也有语法
B1 Additional tone change rules (B1)

Other

Level Pronunciation Point Summary
B1 Accent China is a fascinating land full of variety. That includes all kinds of different accents!