Learn Chinese Chinese Tones and Pronunciation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Mandarin, what happens to the third tone when followed by another third tone?
- It becomes first tone
- It becomes second tone (Correct answer)
- It disappears
- It stays third tone
Correct answer: It becomes second tone
When two third-tone syllables appear together, the first changes to a second (rising) tone.
Question 2: What does the pinyin letter 'x' represent in Mandarin pronunciation?
- A sound like English 'x' in 'fox'
- A sound like English 'sh' but softer (Correct answer)
- A sound like English 'z'
- A sound like English 'ch'
Correct answer: A sound like English 'sh' but softer
The Mandarin 'x' is a soft palatal fricative, similar to a softened 'sh' sound, not the English 'ks' sound.
Question 3: Which of these is the correct pronunciation of 去 (qù, to go)?
- choo
- tsü
- chü (like 'chewy') (Correct answer)
- ku
Correct answer: chü (like 'chewy')
去 (qù) is pronounced roughly like 'chü' with a falling fourth tone, similar to 'chewy' without the 'ee'.
Question 4: What does the pinyin 'zh' represent?
- A sound like English 'z'
- A retroflex sound like 'j' in 'judge' (Correct answer)
- A sound like English 'sh'
- A sound like French 'zh'
Correct answer: A retroflex sound like 'j' in 'judge'
Pinyin 'zh' is a retroflex affricate similar to the 'j' in 'judge', made with the tongue curled back.
Question 5: Which tone has the highest and flattest pitch contour in Mandarin?
- First tone (Correct answer)
- Second tone
- Third tone
- Fourth tone
Correct answer: First tone
The first tone is high and flat, maintained at the top of the speaker's pitch range throughout.
Question 6: What does 没 (méi) mean when used in the phrase 没有 (méi yǒu)?
- Have
- Not have / don't have (Correct answer)
- Want
- Need
Correct answer: Not have / don't have
没有 (méi yǒu) means 'do not have' or 'there is none', used to negate possession in Mandarin.
Learn Chinese Chinese Tones and Pronunciation 2
In Mandarin, what happens to the third tone when followed by another third tone?