Find a Chinese tutor near you in Brentford

Chinese tones interact, and the 3-3 rule means the first of two third tones is pronounced as a rising tone instead.

Here is how it works:

• The classic example is 你好 (nǐ hǎo), which becomes "ní hǎo" in natural speech.
• Other common words follow the same pattern: 很好 (hěn hǎo) becomes "hén hǎo".
• Native speakers apply this rule without thinking, so it sounds unnatural if you keep both third tones flat.

A third tone dips low then rises slightly, but when followed by another third tone, the first one simply rises.

In Brentford, private Chinese tutoring runs about £25/h per session.

This rate can vary based on several factors:

• The student's level, from complete beginner to advanced or business Chinese
• The tutor's qualifications, native speaker status, and teaching experience
• Lesson format: online sessions, in-person at home, or at the tutor's location
• Lesson length and frequency, with discounts often available for regular bookings

Many tutors offer the first lesson free, so you can test their teaching style before committing.

The foundation of Chinese numeracy is mastering these ten basic numerals and their tones.

Here are the numbers with pinyin and tones:

• 一 (yī) = 1, 二 (èr) = 2, 三 (sān) = 3
• 四 (sì) = 4, 五 (wǔ) = 5, 六 (liù) = 6
• 七 (qī) = 7, 八 (bā) = 8, 九 (jiǔ) = 9, 十 (shí) = 10

Pay attention to the tones: 一 and 七 use first tone (high flat), while 四 uses fourth tone (sharp falling).

Practise saying these aloud daily until the tones become automatic.

Students in Brentford rate their Chinese tutors 5⭐ out of 5, highlighting the quality of lessons available.

This rating is based on 6 verified reviews from real students.

Students often praise tutors for clear explanations of tones and characters, patience with beginners, and structured lesson plans.