1.9 Change of tone

Word placement can often change the tone of a word. For example, the word 你好 (hello) represents two characters with third tone distinction. However, when they are combined, the tone of the first word changes without affecting or changing the meaning. In this lesson, you will learn how tones change depending on how a word is used. The tone of a word sometimes changes when used in a sentence depending on the tone of the word that precedes or comes after it.

Rules

Rule 1

If a 3rd tone is followed by a 3rd tone, the first 3rd tone becomes a 2nd tone (3+3 = 2+3).

• Example: The word for hello in Mandarin is: nǐhǎo (你好) which literally means “You good.” When these two words are pronounced separately, they are both pronounced using the third tone. When they are used together to form the word hello and said out loud, ni takes the second tone and hao remains in third tone.
• The word nǐhǎo is still written with two third tones, but it is said with the ni in second tone.

Rule 2

If a 3rd tone is followed by any tone other than the 3rd tone (covered by rule 1) the 3rd tone changes to a half 3rd tone. A half 3rd tone is one that falls, but does not rise.

• Example: nĭ māma 你妈妈 (your mother）is pronounced nì māma

Rule 3

The word bù 不（no） has the 4th tone, but when it is followed by another 4th tone, it becomes 2nd tone.

• Example: bù shì 不是 （is not） is pronounced búshì

Rule 4

Rules concerning the word yī 一（one):

1. The word yī 一 （one）is 1st tone when used as part of a number.
   • Example: yī 一 （one), èr 二 （two), sān 三 （three)…
2. Yī 一 （one） is pronounced with 4th tone when preceding 1st, 2nd, or 3rd tones.
   • Example: Yī tiān is pronounced yì tiān 一天 (one day)
3. Yī is pronounced with 2nd tone when preceding a 4th tone.
   • Example: Yīcì is pronounced yícì 一次 （one time, once）

Listen & Practice

When writing Pinyin, note that, despite the change when speaking, the original tone marks are still written.

 

• Next: Words with er sounds

Pinyin foundations

• Next: Words with er sounds
• Previous: Tones