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In spoken Chinese, consecutive third tones trigger a rule called tone sandhi: the first third tone rises like a second tone.

This is the pattern:

• 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.

Mandarin lessons in Cambridge typically cost £21/h per hour on average.

Prices differ depending on:

• 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.

Learning to count in Mandarin starts with ten simple characters, each paired with a pinyin pronunciation.

The complete list from one to ten:

• 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.

With an average score of 5⭐ out of 5, Mandarin teachers in Cambridge consistently impress their students.

This score comes from 6 authentic student reviews.

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