Tone pair 1-2

This page will cover some examples of the 1-2 tone pair, which Sinosplice rates as a "5" on a difficulty rating of 1-7 (easiest to hardest).

This one's a little difficult. Stay level on the first character and go higher for the second. 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)

  • 真油
  • 真长
  • 真红
  • 真难 (zhēn nán) really hard
  • 真忙 (zhēn máng) really busy

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