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Home / Language / Learn Chinese / Introduction to Chinese: Pronunciation and Tone / Basic Rules of Modified Tones

Basic Rules of Modified Tones

As the other special case in Chinese phonetics, we'll explain basic rules of modified tones in this video.
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9
Lǎoshī, nínhǎo. Im Ālì from Yīdàlì.
13.9
Yìdàlì. Those are the most difficult for me, because there are four tones and a neutral tone in Chinese. But there are no tones at all in my language. Yes. Besides, tones may be influenced by other tones. For example, we say “níhǎo” instead of nǐhǎo. In this video, we will learn some rules and practise them in daily conversation. First, let’s watch a video.
52.1
Níhǎo ma?Wǒ hénhǎo a. 2. Níhǎo ma?Hái kéyǐ. 3. Níhǎo ma?Bú tài hǎo.
76.6
When we greet people, we can say, níhǎo or nínhǎo . In this video, we saw you can also ask Níhǎo ma? means how are you?
93.1
Did you find out how to answer? If you are good, you say? hěnhǎo. hěnhǎo sounds strange. Yes, it’s difficult to pronounce third tone fully when there are two of them together. Let’s do some practice. Please read after me. Pay attention to the tones. níhǎo níhǎo hénhǎo hénhǎo hái kéyǐ hái kéyǐ hái kéyǐ hái kéyǐ
128.8
Lǎoshī, the nǐ and kě are third tone. Why dont we read them that way? You are very observant. It is a rule. When two third tones are placed next to each other, we read their first third tone as a second tone. For example, xízǎo.
159.5
xízǎo yúsǎn yúsǎn fáyǔ fáyǔ zhánlǎn zhánlǎn Oh, I got it. What should I answer when I am not good? Bú tài hǎo. Oh, so this bú is the same as bù, right? Yes. They are the same character and same meaning. But tones are changed. This is another rule we will learn. When bu is alone or before the first tone, the second tone, and the third tone, we read bù, the fourth tone. bù chī bù nán bù xiǎng.
197.4
But when it is before the fourth tone, we read bú, the second tone. bú shì bú yào.
207.5
Oh, that’s why we say bú kèqì. Right. You are so smart. Xièxiè lǎoshī. I have another question about tones. When I did the exercise after last video, I met yì diǎnr and yí huìr. Are yì and yí the same meaning but different tones? Good question. yī means one. This is a rule. When yi is used a alone or before nothing, it’s pronounced as a first tone. yī, xīngqī yī”.
245.2
When yi is used before the fourth tone, it’s pronounced as a second tone. yí kuài qián When yi is used before other three tones, it’s pronounced as a fourth tone. yìtiān yìnián yìbǎi.
267.1
Xièxiè lǎoshī. I understand now. I just need more practise to remember these rules. Don’t worry. There are more exercises for you. You can remember tones better when you learn the words. That’s all for now.
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.
xǐzǎo — take a shower; yǔsǎn — umbrella; fǎyǔ — French.
Please note that we just change to second tone when we read, but the third tone mark remains the same in writing.
Rule 2: When“bu” is alone or before the first tone, second tone and third tone, we read bù, the fourth tone.
bù chī — do not eat; bù nán — not difficult
when it is before the fourth tone, we read bú, the second tone.
bú shì — is not; bú yào — don’t want.
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

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Introduction to Chinese: Pronunciation and Tone
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