| Tone Change Rules in Mandarin Chinese |
| 1.
THIRD TONE A third tone followed by another third tone changes to the second tone. If there are three or more third tones in a row, change every other third tone before the last. |
| When followed by a first, second, fourth, or neutral tones, a third tone should change into a half third tone (that is, a tone that falls and does not rise). |
|
2. NEUTRAL TONE The neutral tone, when following the first, second and fourth tones is pronounced low. However, when following the third tone, it is pronounced high. |
| 3.
NO and ONE BU (meaning "no") is pronounced in the fourth tone when it stands alone. It is also pronounced in the fourth tone when it precedes a first, second, or third tone. However, it is pronounced in the second tone when it precedes a fourth tone. |
|
YI
(meaning "one") is pronounced in the first
tone when it stands alone.
It is pronounced in the fourth tone when it precedes a first, second, or third tone. However, it is pronounced in the second tone when it precedes a fourth tone. |