Tone pair 3-4
This page will cover some examples of the 3-4 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.
3-4 Tone Pair Combos
Source: Sinosplice's Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills (used with permission)
- 很贵 (hěn guì) very expensive
- 很快 (hěn kuài) very fast
- 很慢 (hěn màn) very slow
- 很热 (hěn rè) very hot
- 很饿 (hěn è) very hungry
3-4 Tone Pair Words
Sources: Sinosplice's Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills, AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)
- 以后 (yǐhòu) after, later on, in the future
- 早饭 (zǎofàn) breakfast
- 走路 (zǒulù) to walk; to go on foot
- 可乐 (kělè) cola
- 好看 (hǎokàn) good-looking
- 可愛 (kě'ài) cute
- 滿意 (mǎnyì) satisfied
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
