Tone Lesson 12 – The Neutral Tone (2)

Restricted
Oops...Members Only!

CHINESE NEUTRAL TONE: THIRD TONE + NEUTRAL TONE

Last time we practiced the Neutral Tone, and we already know that the Third Tone in front of the Neutral Tone is pronounce in the Half Third Tone. However, it is not always the case. The Third Tone in front of the Neutral Tone is sometimes pronounced in the Second Tone. In today's lesson, we'll discuss the Third Tone + the Neutral Tone and practice some Tone Pairs.

Take quiz →

Three Ways to Pronounce The Third Tone

There are three ways in total to pronounce the Third Tone. As shown in the picture, (1) The original Full Third Tone (2) Third Tone becomes Second Tone (3) The Half Third Tone.

 

In this lesson we will practice more about the Neutral Tone: The Third Tone + The Neutral Tone. Watch the video and learn!
Three Ways to Pronounce The Third Tone

The Third Tone in Front of The Neutral Tone

Remember the Neutral-tone syllable already has an Original Tone that gets neutralized in certain situation? Its original Tone decides the pronunciation of the Third Tone in front of it. There are only two situations, as shown in the picture below. No.1 When the original Tone of the Neutral-tone syllable is the Third Tone, the Third Tone in front of it becomes the Second Tone; No.2 When the Neutral-tone syllable is originally in the First, the Second or the Fourth Tone, the Third Tone in front of it is pronounced in the Half Third Tone.

In this lesson we will practice more about the Neutral Tone: The Third Tone + The Neutral Tone. Watch the video and learn!
Third Tone + Neutral Tone No.1

In this lesson we will practice more about the Neutral Tone: The Third Tone + The Neutral Tone. Watch the video and learn!
Third Tone + Neutral Tone No.2

Tone Drills: The Third Tone + Neutral Tone

NO.1 Third Tone becomes Second Tone

 

Syllable-2 is originally in the Third Tone.

PINYIN 汉字 TONE CHANGE
xiǎng xiang (xiǎng) 想想 xiáng xiang
děng deng (děng) 等等 déng deng
hǎo hao (hǎo) 好好 háo hao
jiǎng jiang (jiǎng) 讲讲 jiáng jiang 

NO.2 Third Tone becomes Half Third Tone

 

Syllable-2 is originally in the First, the Second or the Fourth Tone, which is marked in the parentheses "(  )".

PINYIN 汉字 TONE CHANGE
yǎn jing (jīng) 眼睛 yǎnhalf jing
lǎo po (pó) 老婆  lǎohalf po 
dǎ suan (suàn) 打算  half suan 

Neutral Tones in Sentences

 

All Neutral Tones are marked in red and underlined.

1
ba ma mǎi dōng xi le
买东西
(My) parents went shopping.

 

2
de jiě jie chuān zhe hóng qún zi
穿红裙
Her big sister is wearing a red dress(skirt).

 

3
men suan hǎo hao xiǎng xiang
We plan to seriously think about it.
guest
10 Comments
newest
oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
10 Comments
Collapse Comments
guest
10 Comments
newest
oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top