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Why 你好 Sounds Like ní hǎo
Two third tones together create a natural sound change: the first one is pronounced like a second tone.
Quick answer
你好 is written nǐ hǎo, but in normal speech the first third tone changes, so it sounds closer to ní hǎo.
你好
hello
Hear the phrase, then repeat it aloud.
When to use it
Use this change whenever a third tone is followed directly by another full third tone, as in 你好 and 很好.
Common mistake
The spelling does not change. Keep writing nǐ hǎo
even though the spoken first syllable changes.
Practise aloud
你 Say ‘nǐ’ slowly.
好 Say ‘hǎo’ slowly.
你好 Join them naturally, so it sounds like ‘ní hǎo’.
You’ve got this!
This change makes speech flow more easily. You do not need to force it: practise the two syllables together until the rising first syllable feels natural.