Tone pair 4-4

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

4-4 Tone Pair Combos

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

• 太大 (tài dà) too big
• 太贵 (tài guì) too expensive
• 太快 (tài kuài) too fast
• 太热 (tài rè) too hot
• 太饿 (tài è) too hungry

4-4 Tone Pair Words

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

• 看见 (kànjiàn) to see
• 现在 (xiànzài) now, nowadays
• 最后 (zuìhòu) last; finally
• 会议 (huìyì) meeting
• 电话 (diànhuà) telephone; phone number
• 重要 (zhòngyào) important
• 快乐 (kuàilè) happy

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