Changes of Tones

Changes of tones

 

Most of the Mandarin learners are familiar with the words “不(bù)” and “一(yī)”。

But they also changes through different contents.

The word 不(bù) is a 4^th tone word.

But when the word 不(bù) is followed by another 4^th tone, then it has to change to the 2^nd tone.  ( 4 4 tone -> 2 4 tone)

 

For example:

我(wǒ )不(bú )要(yào )這(zhèi )個(gě )。 I don’t want this.

 

And the word 一 also has to change its tone when it’s followed by different tones.

1.      The word 一(yī) it stays the first tone when we are saying the number 123…..

2.      When it’s followed by a 1^st tone, change the word to the 4^th tone. Example: 一(yi4 )張(zhāng )紙(zhǐ )。 A piece of paper.

3.      When it’s followed by a neutral tone, change the word to the 2nd tone. Example: 一(yi2 )個(ge )人(rén )。One person

4.      When it’s followed by a 2nd tone, change the word to the 4th tone. Example: 一(yì )盒(hé )餅(bing )乾(qián ) a box of cookies

5.      When it’s followed by a 3rd tone, change the word to the 4th tone. Example: 一(yì )整(zhěng )天(tiān )。 A whole day

6.      When it’s followed by a 4th tone, change the word to the 2nd tone. Example: 再(zài )一(yí )次(cì )。 One more time