10 Fun Chinese Tongue Twisters for Pronunciation Practice
Beginner Tongue Twisters
Start with the classic: 四是四，十是十 (sì shì sì, shí shì shí) — "Four is four, ten is ten." This drills the tricky distinction between sì and shí. Another beginner favorite: 吃葡萄不吐葡萄皮 (chī pútao bù tǔ pútao pí) — "Eat grapes without spitting grape skins."
Intermediate Challenges
The "black fertilizer" twister is notoriously difficult: 黑化肥发灰，灰化肥发黑 (hēi huàféi fā huī, huī huàféi fā hēi) — "Black fertilizer turns gray, gray fertilizer turns black." It targets the h/f and ei/ui distinctions that trip up many learners.
Practice Tips
Start slowly, focusing on accuracy over speed. Use our Pinyin Converter to verify pronunciation. Record yourself and compare with native audio. Gradually increase speed while maintaining tone accuracy. Practice with our Tone Trainer to strengthen your tonal foundation first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are tongue twisters good for learning Chinese? ▼
Chinese tongue twisters (绕口令, ràokǒulìng) specifically target the sounds that learners find most difficult — similar initials like zh/ch/sh, confusing finals, and rapid tone changes. They are both fun and highly effective for pronunciation training.
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