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Mandarin Chinese: Two Third Tones Rule with Katherine

1,222 views · Published 12 April 2017 · 10:20 · Indexed 26 October 2026

Channel: eChineseLearning · 2017 · Education

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The tones of Mandarin Chinese are essential to be understood when speaking. Even after you've learned and become familiar with the tones, you will notice that they often change in certain sequences. But, how do you know when they do? It's not random, there are patterns. Today, we will learn with Teacher Katherine the "Third Tone Rule":

When there are two Third Tones in a row, the first one changes to a Second Tone.

The most common word showing this example is: 你好 (níhǎo’) hello, which combines the words "你 (nǐ) you" and "好 (hǎo) good", two Third Tone words.

"Nǐhǎo" becomes "níhǎo" due to the Two Third Tone rule! Remember it like math: (3+3) = (2+3)!

The tones are essential to know the meaning of the word. Therefore, the tone marks that you read over the pinyin will change the meaning of the words. 

An example:
妈 (mā), first tone = "mom" 
和 马 (mǎ), third tone = "horse", and 
吗 (ma) a final interrogative particle.

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