Fine-tune your tones
Note 3: Fix your 2nd tone
Practice Goals:
- Understand why you mispronounce the 2nd tone.
- Being able to pronounce the 2nd tone correctly.
- Hear the differences between the 2nd tone and the other tones clearly.
- New learning habit: train your ear before your voice.
The 2nd tone is one of the hardest—if not the single most difficult—tones in Mandarin. Many learners struggle to hear it clearly and control their pitch when speaking. In today’s Practice Note, I’ll help you approach the 2nd tone from multiple angles. Together, we’ll troubleshoot common issues, train your ear to hear the tone in context, and develop greater control in your pronunciation.
Download the PDF to follow along and keep all the exercises for future practice:
Second tone Troubleshoot
I have worked with hundreds of learners and have seen the same problem come up again and again: most people start the 2nd tone too high and end up pronouncing a 1st tone or even a 4th tone instead.
This happens because of two reasons:
- You have been told it sounds like a “question tone,” so you aim too high in pitch.
- You are worried it might sound like a 3rd tone, so you try to avoid using the lower part of your voice.
The truth is, the “question sound” analogy is probably doing you more harm than good by this point. And no, your 2nd tone won’t sound like a 3rd tone, even if you start it much lower.
Watch the video below to see why.
Now, let’s get things straight one by one.
The 2nd tone vs. the other tones
How does the 2nd tone really sound next to other tones? Let’s take a listen.
The 2nd tone vs. the 1st tone
Listen to this sentence and pay attention to the difference in pitch between the 2nd and 1st tones:
Míngtiān huíjiā qián xiān lái hē chá.
(Come over for tea before going home tomorrow.)
明天回家前先來喝茶。/ 明天回家前先来喝茶。
(slower)
(faster)
The 2nd tone vs. the 3rd tone
For those of you worrying about your 2nd tone sounding like a 3rd tone, here is a sentence to reassure you that they’re not that similar in context:
Lǐ Péng yǒu shíjiǔpíng hǎo píjiǔ.
(Li Peng has 19 bottles of fine beer.)
李朋有十九瓶好啤酒。
(slower)
(faster)
the 2nd tone vs. the 4th tone
Even though these tones are nearly opposites, it can still be tough for learners to hear and produce the difference. Focus on the “roller coaster” effect here with the 2nd tones and 4th tones side by side.
Báicài hé miàntiáo yào shíkuài qián.
(Cabbage and noodles cost ten dollars.)
白菜和麵條要十塊錢。/ 白菜和面条要十块钱。
(slower)
(faster)
Minimal pairs
Minimal pairs are a powerful tool to fine-tune both your listening and pronunciation. Try these:
qíshí (actually 其實/其实)
qīshí (seventy 七十)
xióngmāo (panda 熊貓/熊猫)
xiōngmáo (chest hair 胸毛)
mánzú (barbarian 蠻族/蛮族)
mǎnzú (to be satisfied 滿足/满足)
dàmá (marihuana 大麻)
Dàmǎ (abbreviation for Malaysia 大馬/大马)
xuéxí (to learn 學習/学习)
xuéxì (department, school 學系/学系)
qíchē (to ride a bike 騎車/骑车)
qìchē (car 汽車/汽车)
Controlling your pitch may feel impossible now, but with consistent, focused practice, your ears and voice will adjust. Over time, you’ll start to hear the second tone clearly in your mind, and replicate it with confidence.
Download the PDF here for all of our exercises today:
In our next practice note, we will clear up all the confusion around the 3rd tone once and for all. Keep practicing, and stay tuned!
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