JIA

'Jia' is a good word to use as an example.for some explanations on Chinese tones. For Western learners of Chinese languages, tones are a challenge. It is hard to concentrate on tones when speaking a series of words in sequence. It is easier to remember word stress, rather than tones.

Many Chinese words consist of an initial consonant, followed by two vowel sounds, just as 'jia'. In such cases, pronounce as follows:

First tone: equal stress on both vowels

Second tone: stress on the second vowel

Third tone: stress on both vowels

Fourth tone: stress on the first vowel

jia(1)

家 = family

加 = to add

jia(2)

jia(3)

甲 = fingernail

jia(4)

价 = jia(4)ge(2) = price

In spoken language usually:

价格 = jia(4)ge(2) = price

There is no genuine logical reason why the 'ge(2)' character is added to the word for price, and in many written combinations, such as 'low price', the 'jia(4)' is used alone. But in colloqial usage, 'jia(4)ge(2)' is preferred over just 'jia(4)'.

假 = vacation