三声 + 三声
Two third tones in a row: the first one rises
Structure
3rd + 3rd → 2nd + 3rd
What it means
When two third tones come together, the first one is said as a rising second tone. The change happens only in speech.
How it is built
3rd + 3rd → 2nd + 3rd: 你好 nǐ hǎo is said ní hǎo (Hello). 我们很好 (We're fine): hěn hǎo is said hén hǎo.
When to use it
The pinyin still shows the 3rd tone (nǐ hǎo); you change it only when you speak. Before any other tone, a 3rd tone simply stays low, without the rise: 我们 wǒmen, 北京 Běijīng.
Watch out
Don't dip fully on both syllables: it sounds slow and heavy. Only the first one changes: 你好 is ní hǎo, not ní háo. Don't write the change in pinyin either.
Examples
你好！
Hello! (said ní hǎo)
我们很好。
We’re fine. (hěn hǎo is said hén hǎo)
这儿是王府井。
This is Wangfujing. (fǔ jǐng is said fú jǐng)
Learn this in 启蒙 · Lesson 3: 对不起 (Tones that change)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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