Tone sandhi

When two first tones appear consecutively, both keep their first tone, no sandhi rule applies. Example: 飞机 fēijī (airplane), 中秋 zhōngqiū (Mid-Autumn).

A neutral-tone syllable's pitch follows the tone before it: after a high tone it is higher, after a low tone it is lower. Example: 妈妈 māma (mother) vs. 爸爸 bàba (father).

With three third tones, the result depends on grouping. For 我很好 wǒ hěn hǎo (I'm very well), it is commonly read wó hén hǎo, the first two rise, the last stays third.

When 一 yī appears at the end of a phrase or sentence, it usually keeps its first tone or is pronounced more lightly, not following the usual rule. Example: 第一 dì-yī (first) keeps yī.

A fourth tone before a neutral-tone syllable keeps its clear fourth-tone contour. Example: 去吧 qùba (go ahead) maintains the clear fourth tone on qù.

In natural conversation, a second tone before a fourth tone may be pronounced lighter or shorter. Example: 来了 láile may sound less distinct than when pronounced slowly.

When a third tone precedes a neutral-tone syllable, it is usually pronounced as a low "half-third" tone (the low dip without the final rise). Example: 椅子 yǐzi (chair) → the 椅 is a low half-third.

When 不 bù precedes a first, second, or third tone, it keeps its bù pronunciation. Example: 不好 bù hǎo (not good) keeps the fourth tone.

When 一 yī precedes a first, second, or third tone, it becomes yì (fourth tone). Example: 一天 yī tiān → yìtiān (one day).

When 一 yī precedes a fourth tone, it changes to yí (second tone). Example: 一个 yī gè → yígè (one).

When 不 bù precedes a fourth tone, it changes to bú (second tone). Example: 不去 is pronounced búqù, not bùqù.

When two third tones appear consecutively, the first one changes to a second tone. Example: 你好 nǐhǎo (hello) is pronounced níhǎo, not nǐhǎo.

Combinations of 3rd + 1st tone or 2nd + 4th tone undergo no sandhi change. Example: 老师 lǎo shī ("teacher", 3+1), 学校 xué xiào ("school", 2+4). Note: 老板 lǎobǎn IS 3+3, so it does change → láobǎn.

When 儿 (-r) is appended, it merges with the final as an r-colored ending rather than a separate syllable. Example: 女儿 nǚ'ér ("daughter") is two syllables, but a true erhua word like 花儿 huār ("flower") fuses into one r-colored sound.

两 liǎng ("two") is used instead of 二 èr in most contexts before all tones. Example: 两个 liǎng ge ("two"), 两天 liǎng tiān ("two days").

不 bù only changes before a 4th tone. Before 1st–3rd tones it remains bù (4th tone). Example: 不好 bù hǎo ("not good"), 不来 bù lái ("not coming").

A 2nd tone before a 3rd tone stays the same. Example: 苹果 píng guǒ ("apple"), pronounced 2nd + 3rd with no change.

A 1st tone before a 2nd tone remains unchanged. Example: 中文 zhōng wén ("Chinese language"), both tones stay as is.

When two 4th tones appear consecutively, the first is often shortened, not falling all the way down. Example: 再见 zàijiàn (goodbye), the first zài is clipped before the second falling tone.

A neutral or light tone naturally follows a 4th-tone syllable without special tone changes. Example: 妈妈 māma ("mother"), 爸爸 bàba ("father"), where the second syllable stays light.

When 一 yī is at the end of a word or phrase, it retains its original 1st tone. Example: 第一 dì yī ("first"), 第一天 dì yī tiān ("first day").

一 yī shifts depending on what follows: it becomes 2nd tone before a 4th tone, and 4th tone before 1st–3rd tones. Example: 一个 yī ge → yí ge (2nd tone), 一天 yī tiān → yì tiān (4th tone).

The word 不 bù ("not") becomes 2nd tone when followed by a 4th-tone syllable. Example: 不去 bù qù → bú qù ("not go"), 不对 bù duì → bú duì ("incorrect").

When two 3rd tones appear consecutively, the first one shifts to a 2nd tone. Example: 你好 nǐ hǎo → ní hǎo ("hello"), 很好 hěn hǎo → hén hǎo ("very good").

Tone sandhi is a natural process that native speakers apply automatically when speaking. Listening practice and mimicking native speakers will help you develop intuition.

Tip: Repeat real examples from native speakers to internalize patterns

Tone sandhi rules apply primarily within compound words and word units, not necessarily across separate words in a sentence.

Example: 好人 hǎo rén (good person), changes apply within the word

A 2nd tone before a 3rd tone does not change. Some speakers may produce a slight, subtle adjustment in fast speech, but the underlying tones stay 2-3.

Example: 杨柳 yáng liǔ (willow), pronounced 2nd + 3rd.

When any tone precedes a neutral (light) tone, the neutral tone does not cause changes to the preceding tone.

Example: 妈妈 māma (mother), the first 妈 keeps its first tone.

The 3rd tone only changes when followed by another 3rd tone. Before 1st, 2nd, or 4th tones, it stays the same.

Example: 美国 měi guó (USA), no change

The character 不 bù only changes to 2nd tone before a 4th tone. Before other tones, it remains as bù.

Example: 不好 bù hǎo (not good)