Pronunciation: 一个 / 四个

[piano0011]

hey guys!

I am trying to understand the rule here and from my understanding, the default tone for yi ge is yi4 ge 4 but when you two fourth tones, you must change the first tone to a second tone. Does this apply for other words such as si4 ge4? Should this be si2 ge4? I am assuming that this only applies for yi2 ge4?

 

[SuperXW]

一 (one) is the only digit character that you need to adjust the tone according to the one next to it.
The rule is:

yi4+tone 1/2/3
yi2+tone 4
yi1: if it means "number one" (such as "the first", or in a serial of phone number): always yi1, regardless the next tone.

 

[piano0011]

So just to confirm that si4ge4 is correct and it shouldn't be si2 ge4? thanks!

 

[fyl]

Yes. That only applies to 一. Take a look at this for the tone sandhis in Mandarin (mostly only these: consecutive 3rd tones, 一 and 不. There do exist others but those are kinda optional).

 

[Youngfun]

I've never noticed before, but I say si4ge0 but yi2ge4 in isolation (yi2ge0 only is some other word is following)

 

[SuperXW]

I've never noticed before, but I say si4ge0 but yi2ge4 in isolation (yi2ge0 only is some other word is following)

I don't think it matters too much. yi2ge0 in isolation is also natural to me.
When two 4th tones are uttered together, and the second character plays a minor role, we (Northerners) usually won't start the second pitch as high as the 1st one.