Tone pair 1-2

If you're already familiar with tone pairs, then you might be ready for some specific examples. This page will cover some examples of the 1-1 tone pair, which Sinosplice rates as a "5" on a difficulty rating of 1-7 (easiest to hardest).

This one's a little difficult. 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.

1-2 Tone Pair Combos

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

  • 开除
  • 开门
  • 开学
  • 发明 (fāmíng) invent
  • 发财 (fācái) make a fortune

1-2 Tone Pair Words

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

  • 突然 (tūrán)suddenly
  • 天堂 (tiāntáng) Heaven
  • 猜拳 (cāiquán) finger guessing game
  • 加油 (jiāyóu)add oil, to cheer someone on
  • 生活 (shēnghuó) life
  • 空调 (kōngtiáo) air Conditioning
  • 家人 (jiārén) family

Sources and further reading

Websites