Tone pair 3-2

This page will cover some examples of the 3-2 tone pair, which Sinosplice rates as a "7" 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.

3-2 Tone Pair Combos

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

• 很忙 (hěn máng) very busy
• 很强 (hěn qiáng) very strong
• 很长 (hěn zhǎng) very long
• 很红 (hěn hóng) very red
• 很油 (hěn yóu) very oily

3-2 Tone Pair Words

Sources: Sinosplice's Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills, AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)

• 以前 (yǐqián) before, previous; ago
• 语言 (yǔyán) language
• 旅行 (lǚxíng) to travel, trip
• 小时 (xiǎoshí) hour
• 好玩 (hǎowán) fun
• 有名 (yǒumíng) famous
• 狡猾 (jiǎohuá) cunning

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