<p>This is a very common issue, you are not alone.</p>
<p>I'd like to share a tip that has helped many students of mine. It involves an interjection you likely are familiar with. It's useless to just write here the interjection &quot;uh-huh&quot;. You need to <strong>hear</strong> what I mean, so here you are 1) a short clip from Futurama and 2) my recording of the interjection followed by a few Chinese words:</p>
<ol>
<li><p><a href="https://wearyourchinesename.com/uh-huh.mp4" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Futurama—click here for the short clip</a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/imGyL.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/imGyL.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
</li>
<li><p><a href="https://wearyourchinesename.com/uh-huh.m4a" rel="nofollow noreferrer">uh-huh/本人/永恒/水泥</a></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>P.S.:</strong> Strictly speaking, 3rd-2nd must be 3h-2 (half third-second). I'm sure you are acquainted with the chart representing the range of the variation of one's pitch. The chart has five points (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), from the low end upward, representing the low, middle-low, middle, middle-high and high pitch respectively. Well, the 3rd-2nd (3h-2) combination is <strong>21-35</strong>. It means that the 3rd tone falls from 2 to 1 but <strong>does not rise</strong> (that's why it's called half third tone).</p>
<p><strong>P.P.S.:</strong> Not sure if your tones are correct? Post in a comment an audio file with your recording and we/I can tell you. Or you can send it to me at my WhatsApp +86 15902133840 or through the site wearyourchinesename.com</p>
<p><strong>Edit inspired by Wayne Cheah</strong></p>
<p>... and it seems to even releive the tension in the neck muscles!</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/PuKH2.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/PuKH2.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehealthsite.com/photo-gallery/fitness-easy-office-exercises-you-can-do-sitting-on-a-chair-b0218-556700/head-up-down-556738/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.thehealthsite.com/photo-gallery/fitness-easy-office-exercises-you-can-do-sitting-on-a-chair-b0218-556700/head-up-down-556738/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T08:14:54.623Z
I did a bit of experimental reading of OP's List, and I discovered that if I dip my chin down a bit on the first word, and lift it on the second word, it does help with the "up-down-up-up" vocalization. But then it does not prove anything as I already could "do it" anyway. Perhaps a beginner could try it and see?
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T11:49:57.490Z
Yes, 一(1) 举(3) 两(3) 得(2)  :o)
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T06:49:12.917Z
2021-11-14T19:22:30.643Z
2021-11-14T19:22:30.643Z
Joe at wearyourchinesename.com
<blockquote>
<p>死亡 抢劫 坦白 转移 隐瞒 走廊 本人 补偿 引擎 种族 赌博 企图 场合 解除 典型 嘴唇 指责 肿瘤 永恒 野蛮 本能 抵达 往常 妥协 挽回 祖国 履行 演习 沼泽 导航 准则 饮食 审查 谴责 品尝 可行 水泥 采集 等级 反常 否则 北极 储存 歹徒 反驳 考察 起源 管辖 起伏 选拔 敏捷 腐蚀 启程 礼节 表决 转达 委员 口头 阻挠 主流 咀嚼 阻拦 缓和 勇于 转折 改良 总和 本钱 主权 海拔 散文 品德 考核 椭圆 朴实 启蒙 饱和 法人 普及 砍伐 挺拔 体裁 武侠<br />
<sub>HSK6 (3-2)-tone-combination words</sub></p>
</blockquote>
<p>For some reason, the 3-2 tone combination is particularly hard for me; it seems to come out as 2-3.  This is probably the most important systematic error I'm making in my pronunciation.</p>
<p><strong>Question</strong>: How do I stop repeatedly mispronouncing the 3-2 tone combination?</p>
<p>I'm wondering where this problem lies, and if there's anything in particular I can do to overcome it.  Perhaps there's more to it than &quot;say these words are lot&quot;.</p>
<p>(I just noticed <a href="https://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2010/02/02/the-3-2-tone-swap-error" rel="nofollow noreferrer">John Pasden calls this</a> the <em>3-2 Tone Swap Error</em>.)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-12T23:49:30.557Z
Do you have any trouble with 3-1? or 3-5? It's not clear to me why 3-2 would be any harder than those. In all cases, you have to jump pretty far down and add creakiness, followed by something higher than that.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T01:56:44.980Z
Try to speak slower and put heavier pronounce on 3, one pronunciation at a time, and practicing with a friend will help.
r13
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T03:32:01.613Z
I think the "problem" lies in the fact that the "3" Tone actually do not figure that prominently among native speakers, who would just rush through, not that bothered to hang around to get the "up-down-up" 3 Tone spot-on, because it is a bit of a chore. But when non-Chinese speakers learn the language, they have to get it "right", and so meet up with the vocal gymnastics necessary when the next word is a "2", meaning it'll be a "up-down-up-up", almost needing to sing a "sopranic" phrase. Even simple words like Běnrén, (本人), is a chore with the "up-down-up-up" Solution? Take singing lessons?
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T04:21:20.593Z
What a list! We got it... 
Joe at wearyourchinesename.com
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T23:12:56.167Z
@Becky: Are you sure you know what the target pronunciation is? This is by far the most common tone error for native speakers of English, and I have helped dozens of students to fix this problem. It's almost always that they rise on the first syllable (which you also mention). It should be just a low tone, followed by a rising one. It sounds almost like the pitch contour of a full dipping third tone, but spread out over two syllables. Check this if you haven't already: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/
Olle Linge
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-13T23:41:34.753Z
Maybe that's it: I'm rising on the first syllable.  Which means for the second syllable, I start off too high resulting in it turning into a third tone.  (Also, I think the commonness of (3-3)-tone sandhi may lead to me [incorrectly] converting the first syllable into a second tone.)  For words I'm very familiar with, e.g. 美国, 可能, I don't believe I have this problem.
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-14T03:16:03.217Z
@Olle Linge So, am I right in saying then that the Third Tone "V" symbol is misleading because it gave the impression of a "high pitch" starting point when in fact it ought to be like the Square Root Symbol? -- "√", or alternatively, having the left limb at the horizontal position? Actually I feel that the Third Tone is also found in English, example, a questioning "You?", with an emphasis on a rising long "U"
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-14T03:27:27.653Z
Also "Before a 1st, 2nd or 4th tone, the 3rd tone is pronounced as a low tone" makes sense because it seems to "reinforce" my "Chin down / chin up" experiment. I am now thinking of taking out a Patent on this method, before the wily Giuseppe thought of it :)
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-14T10:00:20.327Z
@WayneCheah: Yes, that's right. The head-motion technique has been around for decades, probably, I've heard it from dozens of people over the years. :) The only drawback is that you look like an idiot if you make a habit of it and keep doing it once you've fixed the tone. For a more humorous approach, check this video by 小河马: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg0P-HCUOZs
Olle Linge
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-14T10:50:00.457Z
@Olle Linge  Really? 天才所见略同, 白痴也有相共 --  Great minds think alike, Fools seldom differ.
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-14T15:54:31.343Z
Hi Becky 李蓓, each of us is different. In order to know where this problem lies in your specific case, do you think it would be possible for you to post an audio file with your recording? I'd suggest a casual and first-try recording.
Joe at wearyourchinesename.com
<pronunciation>
How do I stop repeatedly mispronouncing the 3-2 tone combination?
# How do I stop repeatedly mispronouncing the 3-2 tone combination?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-11-12)

> 死亡 抢劫 坦白 转移 隐瞒 走廊 本人 补偿 引擎 种族 赌博 企图 场合 解除 典型 嘴唇 指责 肿瘤 永恒 野蛮 本能 抵达 往常 妥协 挽回 祖国 履行 演习 沼泽 导航 准则 饮食 审查 谴责 品尝 可行 水泥 采集 等级 反常 否则 北极 储存 歹徒 反驳 考察 起源 管辖 起伏 选拔 敏捷 腐蚀 启程 礼节 表决 转达 委员 口头 阻挠 主流 咀嚼 阻拦 缓和 勇于 转折 改良 总和 本钱 主权 海拔 散文 品德 考核 椭圆 朴实 启蒙 饱和 法人 普及 砍伐 挺拔 体裁 武侠  
> HSK6 (3-2)-tone-combination words

For some reason, the 3-2 tone combination is particularly hard for me; it seems to come out as 2-3. This is probably the most important systematic error I'm making in my pronunciation.

**Question**: How do I stop repeatedly mispronouncing the 3-2 tone combination?

I'm wondering where this problem lies, and if there's anything in particular I can do to overcome it. Perhaps there's more to it than "say these words are lot".

(I just noticed [John Pasden calls this](https://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2010/02/02/the-3-2-tone-swap-error) the *3-2 Tone Swap Error*.)

**Tags:** pronunciation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Do you have any trouble with 3-1? or 3-5? It's not clear to me why 3-2 would be any harder than those. In all cases, you have to jump pretty far down and add creakiness, followed by something higher than that.  
> **username_2**: Try to speak slower and put heavier pronounce on 3, one pronunciation at a time, and practicing with a friend will help.  
> **username_3**: I think the "problem" lies in the fact that the "3" Tone actually do not figure that prominently among native speakers, who would just rush through, not that bothered to hang around to get the "up-down-up" 3 Tone spot-on, because it is a bit of a chore. But when non-Chinese speakers learn the language, they have to get it "right", and so meet up with the vocal gymnastics necessary when the next word is a "2", meaning it'll be a "up-down-up-up", almost needing to sing a "sopranic" phrase. Even simple words like Běnrén, (本人), is a chore with the "up-down-up-up" Solution? Take singing lessons?  
> **username_4**: What a list! We got it...   
> **username_5**: @Becky: Are you sure you know what the target pronunciation is? This is by far the most common tone error for native speakers of English, and I have helped dozens of students to fix this problem. It's almost always that they rise on the first syllable (which you also mention). It should be just a low tone, followed by a rising one. It sounds almost like the pitch contour of a full dipping third tone, but spread out over two syllables. Check this if you haven't already: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/  
> **username_0**: Maybe that's it: I'm rising on the first syllable.  Which means for the second syllable, I start off too high resulting in it turning into a third tone.  (Also, I think the commonness of (3-3)-tone sandhi may lead to me [incorrectly] converting the first syllable into a second tone.)  For words I'm very familiar with, e.g. 美国, 可能, I don't believe I have this problem.  
> **username_3**: @username_5 So, am I right in saying then that the Third Tone "V" symbol is misleading because it gave the impression of a "high pitch" starting point when in fact it ought to be like the Square Root Symbol? -- "√", or alternatively, having the left limb at the horizontal position? Actually I feel that the Third Tone is also found in English, example, a questioning "You?", with an emphasis on a rising long "U"  
> **username_3**: Also "Before a 1st, 2nd or 4th tone, the 3rd tone is pronounced as a low tone" makes sense because it seems to "reinforce" my "Chin down / chin up" experiment. I am now thinking of taking out a Patent on this method, before the wily Giuseppe thought of it :)  
> **username_5**: @WayneCheah: Yes, that's right. The head-motion technique has been around for decades, probably, I've heard it from dozens of people over the years. :) The only drawback is that you look like an idiot if you make a habit of it and keep doing it once you've fixed the tone. For a more humorous approach, check this video by 小河马: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg0P-HCUOZs  
> **username_3**: @username_5  Really? 天才所见略同, 白痴也有相共 --  Great minds think alike, Fools seldom differ.  
> **username_4**: Hi username_0, each of us is different. In order to know where this problem lies in your specific case, do you think it would be possible for you to post an audio file with your recording? I'd suggest a casual and first-try recording.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2021-11-13. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

This is a very common issue, you are not alone.

I'd like to share a tip that has helped many students of mine. It involves an interjection you likely are familiar with. It's useless to just write here the interjection "uh-huh". You need to **hear** what I mean, so here you are 1) a short clip from Futurama and 2) my recording of the interjection followed by a few Chinese words:

1. [Futurama—click here for the short clip](https://wearyourchinesename.com/uh-huh.mp4)
   [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/imGyL.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/imGyL.jpg)
2. [uh-huh/本人/永恒/水泥](https://wearyourchinesename.com/uh-huh.m4a)

**P.S.:** Strictly speaking, 3rd-2nd must be 3h-2 (half third-second). I'm sure you are acquainted with the chart representing the range of the variation of one's pitch. The chart has five points (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), from the low end upward, representing the low, middle-low, middle, middle-high and high pitch respectively. Well, the 3rd-2nd (3h-2) combination is **21-35**. It means that the 3rd tone falls from 2 to 1 but **does not rise** (that's why it's called half third tone).

**P.P.S.:** Not sure if your tones are correct? Post in a comment an audio file with your recording and we/I can tell you. Or you can send it to me at my WhatsApp +86 15902133840 or through the site wearyourchinesename.com

**Edit inspired by username_3**

... and it seems to even releive the tension in the neck muscles!

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/PuKH2.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/PuKH2.jpg)

<https://www.thehealthsite.com/photo-gallery/fitness-easy-office-exercises-you-can-do-sitting-on-a-chair-b0218-556700/head-up-down-556738/>

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: I did a bit of experimental reading of OP's List, and I discovered that if I dip my chin down a bit on the first word, and lift it on the second word, it does help with the "up-down-up-up" vocalization. But then it does not prove anything as I already could "do it" anyway. Perhaps a beginner could try it and see?  
> **username_3**: Yes, 一(1) 举(3) 两(3) 得(2)  :o)  

---

