Basic Rules of Modified Tones

Tones are relatively difficult for many learners because there are 4 tones and neutral tone in Chinese. Moreover, tones may be influenced by other tones. For example, we say “níhǎo” instead of “nǐ hǎo”.

Rule 1: It is difficult to pronounce third tone fully when two of them are together. So when two third tones are placed next to each other, we read the first third tone as a second tone.

Rule 2: When“bu” is alone or before the first tone, second tone and third tone, we read bù, the fourth tone.

Rule 3: “yī” means one. When “yi” is used alone or before nothing, it is pronounced as the first tone,yī.

xīng qī yī — Monday

When “yi” is used before the fourth tone, it is pronounced as the second tone,yí.

yí kuài qián — one yuan

When yi is used before other three tones, it is pronounced as the fourth tone,yì.

yì tiān — one day; yì bǎi — one hundred