Practical Notes
Pronunciation · Beginner
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 tone change whenever two third-tone syllables appear together in a short phrase.
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: ‘ní hǎo’.
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.
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