All words ›Cai
SurnameHow to pronounce “Cai”
蔡cài
Literally: an ancient state.
❌ What English speakers usually say
“kai” or “say”
✅ What to say instead
tsigh — c is “ts” with a puff of air, then a sharp fall
The shape of the word
Tap any syllable to hear it. The curve above each one is the tone you are aiming for.
Syllable by syllable
| Syllable | Tone | Practise it |
|---|---|---|
| 蔡 cài | Fourth tone — sharp fall | cai — open drill → |
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce Cai?
Cai is 蔡, cài — tsigh — c is “ts” with a puff of air, then a sharp fall. Literally it means an ancient state.
What is the most common mistake with Cai?
“kai” or “say”
More words people mispronounce
Can you actually say it?
Reading a respelling is not the same as producing the tones. The free 2-minute check listens to you and shows which syllables land wrong.