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Ni hao! Let's learn how to say the names of some cute animals in Mandarin Chinese today.
In Mandarin, we can say the names of animals using simple sounds. Let's start with two very common animals: a cat and a dog.
The Mandarin word for cat is māo. It sounds like a cat's meow! It has a high, flat tone.
The Mandarin word for dog is gǒu. This word has a dipping tone that goes down and then back up.
✏️ Worked example
Imagine you see a fluffy cat playing in the yard. How do you say 'cat' in Mandarin, and how do you pronounce it?
- First, remember the English word you want to translate, which is 'cat'.
- Next, recall the Mandarin word that sounds like a cat's meow: 'māo'.
- Then, look at the tone mark over the 'a'. It is a flat line, which means you say it with a high, flat, steady voice.
- Finally, practice speaking it aloud: 'māo'!
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