Tone changes
Two third tones in a row, and the tones of 不 and 一.
In speech, a few tones change before others. Textbooks, and this guide, write 不 and 一 with the tone they are said with; dictionaries, including this app's, write them in their own tones, bù and yī. The third-tone change is never written.
Two third tones
Before another third tone, a third tone is said as a second tone. Pinyin keeps writing the third tone.
| Written | Said | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 nǐhǎo | níhǎo | hello |
| 很好 hěn hǎo | hén hǎo | very good |
| 可以 kěyǐ | kéyǐ | may, can |
| 水果 shuǐguǒ | shuíguǒ | fruit |
| 洗澡 xǐzǎo | xízǎo | take a bath |
With three third tones in a row, the words group the change: 我很好 wǒ hěn hǎo is said wǒ hén hǎo, or quickly wó hén hǎo.
- Nǐhǎo!Hello!
- Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlai ma?May I come in?
不 bù
不 "not" is fourth tone, bù, except before another fourth tone, where it becomes bú.
| Before | Said | Example |
|---|---|---|
| first, second, third tone | bù | 不吃 bù chī, 不来 bù lái, 不好 bù hǎo |
| fourth tone | bú | 不是 bú shì, 不要 bú yào, 不对 bú duì |
In a question that asks "A or not A", 不 loses its tone: 是不是 shì bu shì.
- Tā bú shì lǎoshī.He isn't a teacher.
- Wǒ bù hē kāfēi.I don't drink coffee.
一 yī
一 "one" is said yī on its own, in counting, in numbers and dates, and as "first" (第一 dì-yī). Before another syllable it changes:
| Before | Said | Example |
|---|---|---|
| fourth tone (and 个) | yí | 一个 yí ge, 一定 yídìng, 一样 yíyàng |
| first, second, third tone | yì | 一天 yì tiān, 一年 yì nián, 一起 yìqǐ |
Between a doubled verb it is neutral: 看一看 kàn yi kàn "have a look".
- Wǒ yǒu yí ge gēge.I have an older brother.
- Wǒmen yìqǐ qù ba.Let's go together.
- yīyuè yī hàoJanuary 1st
Cards from this guide
8 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Getting started cards.
How is 你好 (nǐ hǎo) said?
níhǎo.
Is the third-tone change written in pinyin?
No: 可以 is written kěyǐ but said kéyǐ.
How is 不 said in 不是?
bú.
How is 不 said in 不好?
bù, unchanged.
How is 一 said in 一个?
yí.
How is 一 said in 一起?
yì.
When does 一 keep its own tone, yī?
On its own, in counting and numbers, in dates, and as "first", 第一 (dì-yī).
How is 不 said in 是不是?
Lightly, in the neutral tone: shì bu shì.