Find a Chinese tutor near you in Sutton

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

This is the pattern:

• The classic example is 你好 (nǐ hǎo), which becomes "ní hǎo" in natural speech.
• This also affects 小姐 (xiǎojiě), which sounds like "xiáojiě" in conversation.
• Ignoring tone sandhi makes speech choppy, which is why practising this early matters.

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

In Sutton, private Chinese tutoring runs about £30/h per session.

Prices differ depending on:

• The student's level, from complete beginner to advanced or business Chinese
• Whether the tutor is a native Mandarin speaker with formal credentials
• The choice between face-to-face, online, or hybrid learning
• Lesson length and frequency, with discounts often available for regular bookings

Some teachers provide discounted bundles, which can make long-term learning more affordable.

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

The complete list from one to ten:

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

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

These ten numerals unlock prices, dates, phone numbers, and ages in everyday conversation.

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

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.