Course: Learn Chinese: Introduction to Chinese Pronunciation and Tone

As we have learned, when two third tones are placed next to each other, the first one is pronounced as the second tone. The third tone however also changes when …

Tones are relatively difficult for many learners because there are 4 tones and neutral tone in Chinese. Moreover, tones may be influenced by other tones. For example, we say “níhǎo” …

Chinese kinship terms are comparatively complicated. In China, it’s very impolite to call the elders’ names. Let’s have a look at how to address some relatives.Audio yéye — grandfather nǎinai …

The pronunciation of finals will have different changes when they are combined with “er” after them. You can remember how to pronounce a certain word when you learn it ignoring …

“er” is a special final in Chinese Pinyin. When pronouncing it, make “e” sound and then roll your tongue. As a final, “er” can only be a syllable itself, meaning …

How to express thanks and apology in Chinese? Audio To express your thanks, you could say “Xièxie” (Thank you). To reply we say “Bú kèqi” (You are welcome.) When you …

“shénme” means “what”. You can ask “Nǐ hē shénme？”（What do you drink?）”Nǐ chī shénme”（What do you eat?）Audio Now let’s practice more words by answering the questions. Wǒ hē kāfēi.— I …

When a syllable starting with i u and ü, we should add a initial Y or W for them when we write. Rules as follows. When a syllable consists of …

After learning compound finals starting with i and u, let’s have a look at the last compound finals starting with ü. Compound finals starting with ü are üe üɑn ün. …

After learning initals zh ch sh r ; z c s, let’s have a look at compound finals starting with i and u. Compound finals starting with i and u …

We’ve learned that “zhè” means “this” and “shì” means “to be”. If you want to introduce “this is”, you say “zhè shì……。” Let’s practice some more words by saying “zhè …

Compared to zh, ch, sh, the sound z, c, s are pronounced slightly further forward in your mouth These require coordination between the tongue tip and the inside of the …

We now only have seven initials left to learn. To pronounce zh, ch, sh, r, you should use the raised tongue tip and the front part of the hard palate …

Thank you for following us here. We’ve already finished the first of three weeks of our Pronunciation and Tone course. Now you know how and where we use Chinese Pinyin, …

We learned how to say “love”—“ài”. Now let’s put somebody or something after to practice more words and express your love. Please listen and repeat:audio Wǒ ài nǐ。— I love …