Sentence Guide
How to pronounce 他是老师。 (tā shì lǎo shī.)
他是老师。 means "He is a teacher.". Use this guide to lock in the tone pattern, articulation target, and the mistake most learners still make.
Pinyin
tā shì lǎo shī.
Tone Pattern
Tone 1 + Tone 4 + Tone 3 + Tone 1
Pronunciation Focus
retroflex-basics
How to say it
The key target is the final shī, which should stay retroflex and narrow.
Most common error
The sentence loses clarity when shì and shī both flatten forward.
HSK Level
HSK1
Related pronunciation rules
Practice similar examples
他吃了。 (tā chī le.)
Keep the retroflex initials in 他吃了。 (tā chī le.) slightly curled back instead of letting them flatten forward.
他出去。 (tā chū qù.)
Keep the retroflex initials in 他出去。 (tā chū qù.) slightly curled back instead of letting them flatten forward.
他说话。 (tā shuō huà.)
Keep the retroflex initials in 他说话。 (tā shuō huà.) slightly curled back instead of letting them flatten forward.