Tone pair 2-3

This page will cover some examples of the 2-3 tone pair, which Sinosplice rates as a "4" 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.

2-3 Tone Pair Diagram

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

Tone Pair 2-3 cropped.png

2-3 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
没有 méiyǒu to have not (done something)
茶馆 cháguǎn teahouse
如果 rúguǒ if
苹果 píngguǒ apple
红酒 hóngjiǔ red wine

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

2-3 Tone Pair Phrases (B1)

Audio Chinese Pinyin English
买红酒 mǎi hóngjiǔ to buy red wine
买苹果 mǎi píngguǒ to buy apples
喝白酒 hē báijiǔ to drink baijiu
没有朋友 méiyǒu péngyou to have no friends
很想我朋友 hěn xiǎng wǒ péngyou (I) really miss my friends

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

2-3 Tone Pair Combos

Audio Chinese Pinyin English
(coming) 蛮好 mán hǎo quite good
(coming) 蛮小 mán xiǎo quite small
(coming) 蛮早 mán zǎo quite early
(coming) 蛮冷 mán lěng quite cold

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

Sources and further reading

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