Tone sandhi

When 一 yī appears at the end of a word or phrase, it typically retains its 1st tone.

Example: 第一 dì yī (number one)

When 一 yī precedes a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd tone, it becomes a 4th tone.

Example: 一天 yī tiān → yìtiān (one day)

When 一 yī stands directly before a 4th-tone syllable, it becomes a 2nd tone.

Example: 一去 yī qù → yíqù

The character 一 yī (one) becomes a 2nd tone (yí) when it precedes a 4th-tone syllable.

Example: 一样 yī yàng → yíyàng (same)

The character 不 bù (negation) becomes bú (2nd tone) when it precedes a 4th-tone syllable.

Example: 不去 bù qù → búqù (not going)

When two 3rd-tone syllables occur consecutively, the first one changes to a 2nd tone.

Example: 你好 nǐ hǎo → ní hǎo (hello)

First tone (ˉ) remains unchanged before tones 1, 2, or 3. Examples: 飞机 fēijī (1+1, airplane), 中文 zhōngwén (1+2, Chinese), 身体 shēntǐ (1+3, body).

The possessive/attributive particle 的 (de) is always neutral tone when used grammatically. Examples: 我的 wǒde, 大的 dàde, 好的 hǎode. This is inherent to the particle, not a sandhi rule.

The perfective particle 了 (le) is typically neutral tone regardless of the preceding tone. Examples: 吃了 chīle, 来了 lái·le, 好了 hǎole. It keeps 4th tone only in emphatic contexts.

Sentence-final particles like 呢, 啊, 吧 are pronounced in neutral tone, regardless of the preceding syllable's tone. Examples: 你呢 nǐ ne, 好吧 hǎo ba. They don't follow standard sandhi rules.

Two consecutive second tones (´) have no formal sandhi rule, both keep second tone. This combination is common: 学习 xuéxí (study), 银行 yínháng (bank), 长城 chángchéng (Great Wall).

Third tone (ˇ) only shifts when followed by another third tone. Before tones 1, 2, or 4, it stays the same. Examples: 老师 lǎoshī, 小时 xiǎoshí, 女儿 nǚ'ér.

Second tone (´) followed by third tone (ˇ) undergoes no tone change. Example: 国语 guóyǔ (national language) stays as is. Remember: not all tone combinations have sandhi rules.

Particles like 的, 了, 吗 carry neutral tone (unmarked) when they follow a fourth-tone syllable. Example: 大的 dàde. This neutral tone is light and quick.

When a first-tone (ˉ) syllable precedes a fourth-tone (ˋ) syllable, no tone change occurs. Examples: 工作 gōngzuò (work), 说话 shuōhuà (speak). Each keeps its original tones.

The number 一 (one) has two tone changes:

• Before a 4th tone → yí (2nd tone): 一个 yíge
• Before tones 1, 2, 3 → yì (4th tone): 一天 yìtiān, 一些 yìxiē

The negation 不 (bù) shifts to second tone (bú) when it precedes a fourth-tone syllable. Example: 不去 → búqù. Before tones 1, 2, and 3, it stays bù.

When two third-tone (ˇ) syllables appear together, the first syllable shifts to second tone (´). Example: 你好 nǐhǎo → níhǎo. This makes the utterance flow more naturally.

When speaking slowly, separating syllables, or emphasizing individual characters, sandhi rules may not apply. This is useful for careful pronunciation instruction.

Even with the prefix 老 lǎo, two third tones in a row still undergo sandhi. Example: 老虎 lǎohǔ → láohǔ (tiger). With non-third tones there is no 3-3 sandhi: 小鸡 xiǎojī (chick, 3+1) stays unchanged.

When second tone precedes fourth tone, both tones remain unchanged. Example: 人物 rénwù (character) stays the same.

When first tone precedes third tone, both tones remain unchanged. Example: 开始 kāishǐ (start) stays the same.

A fourth-tone syllable at the beginning of a phrase usually keeps its fourth tone. Example: 去年 qùnián (last year) keeps the fourth tone on 去 qù.

In longer phrases, apply each sandhi rule in turn. Example: 很好看 hěn hǎo kàn (good-looking) is 3-3-4; the first two are both third tone, so the first rises: → hén hǎo kàn (2-3-4).

Neutral-tone syllables have no inherent tone and are usually pronounced quickly and softly. Examples: 妈妈 māma (mother), 桌子 zhuōzi (table).

The negation 不 bù keeps its fourth tone before first-, second-, or third-tone syllables; it only changes to bú before a fourth tone. Examples: 不吃 bùchī (not eat, before 1st), 不来 bùlái (not come, before 2nd), 不好 bùhǎo (not good, before 3rd).

The number 一 yī changes to yì (fourth tone) when followed by a syllable with first, second, or third tone. Examples: 一天 yìtiān (one day), 一起 yìqǐ (together).

The number 一 yī (one) changes to yí (second tone) before a fourth-tone syllable. Examples: 一次 yícì (once), 一个 yíge (one).

The negation 不 bù changes to bú (second tone) when followed by a fourth-tone syllable. Examples: 不去 búqù (not go), 不好 búhǎo (not good).

When two consecutive syllables both have third tone, the first changes to second tone. Examples: 你好 nǐhǎo → níhǎo (hello), 老鼠 lǎoshǔ → láoshǔ (mouse).