Tone pair 3-1
This page will cover some examples of the 3-1 tone pair, which Sinosplice rates as a "5" 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.
3-1 Tone Pair Combos
Source: Sinosplice's Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills (used with permission)
- 很高 (hěn gāo) very tall
- 很轻 (hěn qīng) very light
- 很酸 (hěn suān) very sour
- 很黑 (hěn hēi) very dark
3-1 Tone Pair Words
Sources: Sinosplice's Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills, AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)
- 已经 (yǐjīng) already
- 喜欢 (xǐhuan) to like
- 买单 (mǎidān) to pay the restaurant bill
- 手机 (shǒujī) cell phone, mobile phone
- 老师 (lǎoshī) teacher
- 紧张 (jǐnzhāng) nervous
Sources and further reading
Websites
- Sinosplice: The Process Of Learning Tones
- Sinosplice: Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills, New Feature: Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills
- Hacking Chinese: Focusing on tone pairs to improve your Mandarin pronunciation
- About.com: How tone pairs can improve your Mandarin pronunciation
