Back to Tone change for yi and bu

Word Guide

Tier 1 Practice Page

How to pronounce 一个 (yí gè)

一个 means "one (measure word)". Use this guide to lock in the tone pattern, articulation target, and the mistake most learners still make.

Pinyin

yí gè

Tone Pattern

Tone 2 + Tone 4

Pronunciation Focus

sandhiYiBu

How to say it

Because gè is fourth tone, 一 changes to a rising yí in connected speech.

Phonetic Breakdown

y+i_g+e

Most common error

Many learners keep the first syllable as flat yī before gè.

HSK Level

HSK1

Related pronunciation rules

How tone change works for 一 and 不

A practical guide to how 一 and 不 change tone depending on the following syllable in Mandarin speech.

Practice similar examples

一杯 (yì bēi)

Before a first tone like bēi, 一 falls as yì rather than staying flat.

一定 (yí dìng)

The first syllable rises because dìng is fourth tone.

不对 (bú duì)

Say 不对 (bú duì) as a full chunk and let 一 or 不 change tone according to the following syllable.

Hear the same pattern in sentences

我不是。 (wǒ bú shì.)

Because shì is fourth tone, 不 changes to bú in the middle of the sentence.

一杯水。 (yì bēi shuǐ.)

The first syllable falls as yì before the high flat bēi.

不要去。 (bú yào qù.)

Say 不要去。 (bú yào qù.) as a full chunk and let 一 or 不 change tone according to the following syllable.

Free Web Assessment

Test your Mandarin pronunciation for free

Compare your pitch curve against a native target and see where your tones or initials still drift.