Did you know that in Chinese, some words look exactly the same but have completely different pronunciations? Today, we'll look at 20 pairs of these Chinese words with multiple pronunciations. What do the different pronunciations mean?
If you want to hear these words, make sure to watch our video below!
1. 中
zhōng: This means 'middle'. For example, 中介 (zhōng jiè) Intermediary.
zhòng: This means 'to receive'. For example, 中奖 (zhòng jiǎng) To win a prize.
2. 调
diào: This means 'to investigate'. For example, 调查 (diào chá) Survey
tiáo: This means 'to condition'. For example, 空调 (kōng tiáo) Air conditioner
3. 长
cháng: This means 'long'. For example, 长发 (cháng fà) Long hair
zhǎng: This means 'to grow'. For example, 长大 (zhǎng dà) To grow up
4. 还
hái: This means 'still'. For example, 还有 (hái yǒu) Still have
huán: This means 'to return'. For example, 还书 (huán shū) To return a book
5. 没
mò: This means 'to confiscate'. For example, 没收 (mò shōu) To confiscate
méi: This means 'no'. For example, 没有 (méi yǒu) To not have
6. 假
jiǎ: This means 'fake'. For example, 假的 (jiǎ de) Fake
jià: This means 'vacation'. For example, 放假 (fàng jià) Vacation
7. 舍
shě: This means 'to give up'. For example, 舍得 (shě dé) Willing
shè: This means 'house'. For example, 宿舍 (sù shè) Dormitory
8. 吓
hè: This means 'to intimidate'. For example, 恐吓 (kǒng hè) To intimidate
xià: This means 'to scare'. For example, 吓人 (xià rén) Scary
9. 熟悉
shú: This means 'familiar / to cook'. For example, 熟悉 (shú xī) Familiar
shóu: This is a more colloquial way of saying the above. For example, 煮熟 (zhǔ shóu) Cooked
10. 看
kàn: This means 'to see'. For example, 看见 (kàn jiàn) To see
kān: This means 'to guard'. For example, 看门 (kān mén) Gatekeeper
11. 干
gān: This means 'dry'. For example, 干净 (gān jìng) Clean
gàn: This means 'to do'. For example, 干活 (gàn huó) To Work
12. 都
dōu: This means 'all'. For example, 都来 (dōu lái) All come
dū: This means 'metropolis'. For example, 首都 (shǒu dū)
13. 长
zhòng: This means 'heavy'. For example, 体重 (tǐ zhòng) Body weight
chóng: This means 'again'. For example, 重新 (chóng xīn) Again
14. 好
hǎo: This means 'good'. For example, 好看 (hǎo kàn) Good looking
hào: This means 'to like'. For example, 好客 (hào kè) Hospitable
15. 答
dā: This means 'to respond'. For example, 答应 (dā yìng) To promise
dá: This means 'to answer'. For example, 答复 (dá fù) To reply
16. 传
chuán: This means 'to pass'. For example, 传统 (chuán tǒng) Traditional
zhuàn: This means 'biography'. For example, 自传 (zì zhuàn) Autobiography
17. 背
bēi: This means 'to carry'. For example, 背包 (bēi bāo) Backpack
bèi: This means 'back'. For example, 悲痛 (bèi tòng) Back pains
18. 教
jiāo: This means 'to teach'. For example, 教书 (jiāo shū) To teach
jiào: This means 'to instruct'. For example, 教练 (jiào liàn) Coach
19. 相
xiāng: This means 'mutual'. For example, 相信 (xiāng xìn) To believe
xiàng: This means 'photo'. For example, 照相 (zhào xiàng) Photo
20. 会
huì: This means 'conference'. For example, 开会 (kāi huì) To hold a meeting
kuài: This means 'accounting'. For example, 会计 (kuài jì) To calculate
Watch the lesson here:
We hope that you enjoyed this lesson!