Answers
Jul 10, 2007 - 04:30 AM
It’s not that one tone for Bu is correct and the other is wrong, but that they can change. This variation in the tones comes from something known as tone sandhi, a set of rules that governs pitch change when tones are pronounced together. In the case of bu, which is just one example of tone sandhi, it is more strenuous to have two falling (4th tone) syllables right next to each other. It is much easier to pronounce a rising(2nd tone)-falling combination than a falling-falling combination. Listen and decide for yourself. Bu4yao4. And with the change: Bu2hao4. Another example is ni2hao3. While ni by itself is of the 3rd tone--ni3--it changes to the 2nd tone when it is placed before another 3rd tone syllable. It is quite difficult to say two low tones right after each other, so the first syllable ni3 (3rd tone), changes to ni2 (2nd tone).
Dec 01, 2010 - 11:15 AM
So if I understand correctly then both the sentences below are correct?
1. Bù, w? yào li?ng ge
2. W? bú yào shu?
The difference is in the first statement w? follows bu then its spelled Bù. Because w? is descending/ascending tone following bu. The second would be the normal spelling cause yào is only a descending tone, correct?
1. Bù, w? yào li?ng ge
2. W? bú yào shu?
The difference is in the first statement w? follows bu then its spelled Bù. Because w? is descending/ascending tone following bu. The second would be the normal spelling cause yào is only a descending tone, correct?
Dec 01, 2010 - 11:15 AM
Don,
Yes, that is exactly correct. Since bu is followed by yao, in the second example, the 4th tone for bu needs to change so that the two words can be pronounced more easily while next to one another. Since w? is in between the bu and yao, the 4th tone for bu does not have to change since it is not next to yao in the 4th tone.
Yes, that is exactly correct. Since bu is followed by yao, in the second example, the 4th tone for bu needs to change so that the two words can be pronounced more easily while next to one another. Since w? is in between the bu and yao, the 4th tone for bu does not have to change since it is not next to yao in the 4th tone.