Tone pair 4-3

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.

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.

Source: AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)

4-3 Tone Pair Phrases (B1)

Audio Chinese Pinyin English
星期天 xīngqītiān Sunday
吃 香蕉 chī xiāngjiāo to eat a banana
喝 咖啡 hē kāfēi to drink coffee
去 公司 qù gōngsī to go to the office
很 开心 hěn kāixīn very happy

Source: AllSet Learning's "Tone Pair" Pronunciation Pack (used with permission)

4-3 Tone Pair Combos

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

  • 太老 (tài lǎo) too old
  • 太早 (tài zǎo) too early
  • 太小 (tài xiǎo) too small
  • 太美 (tàiměi) too beautiful
  • 太短 (tài duǎn) too short

Sources and further reading

Websites