Chinese tone pairs
Mandarin words come in twos — so tones never live alone. Drill all 20 combinations on real words below: tap to hear, repeat out loud, record yourself to compare.
1st + 1st
1st + 2nd
1st + 3rd
1st + 4th
1st + neutral
2nd + 1st
2nd + 2nd
2nd + 3rd
2nd + 4th
2nd + neutral
3rd + 1st
3rd + 2nd
3rd + 3rd · sandhi: first 3rd → 2nd
3rd + 4th
3rd + neutral
4th + 1st
4th + 2nd
4th + 3rd
4th + 4th
4th + neutral
Want a score for every rep? The app grades each syllable’s tone, initial and final as you drill — and builds your daily 5 minutes from the pairs you personally fail.
FAQ
What are Chinese tone pairs?
Most Mandarin words are two syllables, so tones almost never live alone — they interact. Drilling all 20 two-tone combinations on real words trains the transitions your mouth actually makes in speech, which single-syllable practice never touches.
Why is the 3-3 pair special?
Tone sandhi: when two 3rd tones meet, the first becomes a 2nd tone. 你好 nǐ hǎo is pronounced ní hǎo. The chart’s 3-3 words are the perfect place to automate this rule.
Which tone pairs are hardest for English speakers?
Usually 2-1, 3-2 and anything ending in a neutral tone: the pitch jumps feel unnatural at first. Start with 10 minutes on those columns and the rest fall into place faster.