Tone pair 4-0

This page will cover some examples of the 4-0 tone pair.

When practicing, be sure to keep the neutral tone low when it follows a fourth tone. It should feel quite easy and natural to keep the neutral tone low.

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.

4-0 Tone Pair Diagram

It helps many learners to see the two tones side by side. The neutral tone varies a bit depending on which tone is follows. Notice that when it follows a fourth tone, it stays low.

Tone Pair 4-0 cropped.png

4-0 Tone Pair Combos

  • 去吧 (qù ba) let's go
  • 到了 (dào le) arrived
  • 断了 (duàn le) broke

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

4-0 Tone Pair Words

  • 漂亮 (piàoliang) pretty
  • 厉害 (lìhai) impressive
  • 客气 (kèqi) polite

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

Sources and further reading

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