Tone pair 4-3
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Level
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In series Tone pairs
- 1. Tone pair 1-1
- 2. Tone pair 1-2
- 3. Tone pair 1-3
- 4. Tone pair 1-4
- 5. Tone pair 1-0
- 6. Tone pair 2-1
- 7. Tone pair 2-2
- 8. Tone pair 2-3
- 9. Tone pair 2-4
- 10. Tone pair 2-0
- 11. Tone pair 3-1
- 12. Tone pair 3-2
- 13. Tone pair 3-3
- 14. Tone pair 3-4
- 15. Tone pair 3-0
- 16. Tone pair 4-1
- 17. Tone pair 4-2
- 18. Tone pair 4-3
- 19. Tone pair 4-4
- 20. Tone pair 4-0
This page will cover some examples of the 1-4 tone pair, which Sinosplice rates as a "3" 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.
Contents
4-3 Tone Pair Diagram
It helps many learners to see the two tones side by side.
4-3 Tone Pair Words (A2)
If you're just getting started with tone pairs, these simple two-syllable words and phrases are a good place to start. If these are too easy, you may want to move onto the longer (B1) phrases below.
| Audio | Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 一起 | yīqǐ | together | |
| 下雨 | xiàyǔ | to rain | |
| 电脑 | diànnǎo | computer | |
| 上午 | shàngwǔ | coffee | |
| 下午 | xiàwǔ | afternoon, p.m. |
Remember: the word 一起 (yīqǐ) has a tone change, which means it is pronounced "yìqǐ" (a 4-3 tone pair).
Source: AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)
4-3 Tone Pair Phrases (B1)
| Audio | Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 坐地铁 | zuò dìtiě | to take the subway | |
| 去上海 | qù Shànghǎi | to go to Shanghai | |
| 电脑不好 | diànnǎo bù hǎo | computer is not good | |
| 不想父母 | bù xiǎng fùmǔ | to not miss (one's) parents | |
| 下午下雨 | xiàwǔ xiàyǔ | to rain in the afternoon |
Remember: the word 一起 (yīqǐ) has a tone change, which means it is pronounced "yìqǐ" (a 4-3 tone pair).
Source: AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)
4-3 Tone Pair Combos
| Audio | Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| (coming) | 太老 | tài lǎo | too old |
| (coming) | 太早 | tài zǎo | too early |
| (coming) | 太小 | tài xiǎo | too small |
| (coming) | 太美 | tàiměi | too beautiful |
| (coming) | 太短 | tài duǎn | too short |
Source: Sinosplice's Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills (used with permission)
Sources and further reading
Videos
- AllSet Learning video on YouTube: Chinese Pronunciation Practice: A2 Tone Pair 4-3
- AllSet Learning video on YouTube: Chinese Pronunciation Practice: B1 Tone Pair 4-3
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
