Tongue twisters are the gym for your mouth: short, chaotic, and strangely addictive. They sharpen tones, clean up similar initials (zh/ch/sh vs. z/c/s), and fix the classic -n/-ng ending blur. Everything below is in Traditional Chinese with pinyin after each line, plus a quick English gloss so the joke doesn’t run away without you.
How To Use This List
Start slow, exaggerate tones, keep rhythm. Read each line three times, then speed up by 10–20%. Record, play back, and hunt for slurs. If a set targets a sound you struggle with, pin it to your home screen and roast it daily.
Quick Warm-Ups (Loosen The Gears)
- 八百標兵奔北坡。
Bābǎi biāobīng bēn Běipō.
Eight hundred soldiers sprint up the north slope. - 東邊來了龍，西邊來了風。
Dōngbiān lái le lóng, xībiān lái le fēng.
A dragon from the east, a wind from the west. - 白貝背黑貝，黑貝背白貝。
Bái bèi bèi hēi bèi, hēi bèi bèi bái bèi.
White shells carry black shells; black shells carry white shells.
Tones Training（四聲不打架）
- 媽麻馬罵，馬怕罵。
Mā má mǎ mà, mǎ pà mà.
Mother, hemp, horse, scold—horses fear scolding. - 鹽嚴岩炎，言要嚴。
Yán yán yán yán, yán yào yán.
Salt, strict, rock, inflammation—words must be strict. - 雞急記機，機既擠雞。
Jī jí jì jī, jī jì jǐ jī.
Chicken hurries to record the machine; the machine squeezes the chicken. - 皮批啤脾，脾氣別批。
Pí pī pí pí, píqì bié pī.
Skin, critique, beer, spleen—don’t critique tempers. - 牛扭鈕釦，鈕釦扭牛。
Niú niǔ niǔkòu, niǔkòu niǔ niú.
A cow twists a button; a button twists a cow. - 梅沒霉媒，每沒沒每。
Méi méi méi méi, měi méi méi měi.
Plum, none, mold, media—each has a none. - 青蜻蜓親青草。
Qīng qīngtíng qīn qīngcǎo.
Green dragonflies kiss green grass. - 請輕輕清清楚楚說清楚。
Qǐng qīngqīng qīng qīngchǔchǔ shuō qīngchǔ.
Please speak lightly and clearly, very clearly. - 苦庫褲酷，酷褲哭。
Kǔ kù kù kù, kù kù kū.
Bitter, storehouse, pants, cool—cool pants cry.
-n / -ng Ending Precision（鼻音收得乾淨）
- 東邊種松，西邊種蔥。
Dōngbiān zhòng sōng, xībiān zhòng cōng.
Plant pines in the east, scallions in the west. - 雲上有龍，龍上有燈。
Yún shàng yǒu lóng, lóng shàng yǒu dēng.
On the clouds a dragon; on the dragon a lamp. - 工人送桶裝湯。
Gōngrén sòng tǒngzhuāng tāng.
Workers deliver bucketed soup. - 小熊愛熊熊糖。
Xiǎoxióng ài xióngxióng táng.
Little bear loves bear-shaped candy. - 頂樓弄籠子，籠子裝龍。
Dǐnglóu nòng lóngzi, lóngzi zhuāng lóng.
On the rooftop, set up a cage; the cage holds a dragon. - 南門黏黏米，北門濃濃泥。
Nánmén niánnián mǐ, Běimén nóngnóng ní.
South Gate sticky rice, North Gate thick mud. - 青蛙望星星，星星映青莖。
Qīngwā wàng xīngxīng, xīngxīng yìng qīng jīng.
A frog watches stars; stars reflect on green stems. - 停車場長長，場長常常忙。
Tíngchēchǎng chángcháng, chǎngzhǎng chángcháng máng.
The parking lot is long; the manager is often busy.
zh / ch / sh vs. z / c / s（捲舌不偷懶）
- 十是十，四是四。
Shí shì shí, sì shì sì.
Ten is ten, four is four. - 誰說十四隻獅子吃石獅子？
Shéi shuō shísì zhī shīzi chī shí shīzi?
Who said fourteen lions eat a stone lion? - 張師師收十支市尺。
Zhāng Shīshī shōu shí zhī shìchǐ.
Zhang Shishi collects ten city rulers. - 資深司機送四十箱柿子。
Zīshēn sījī sòng sìshí xiāng shìzi.
A veteran driver delivers forty boxes of persimmons. - 吃柿不嗜食，試吃是識食。
Chī shì bù shì shí, shìchī shì shí shí.
Eating persimmons without gluttony; sample tasting is food knowing. - 石獅是濕獅？
Shí shī shì shī shī?
Is the stone lion a wet lion? - 四十四隻紫獅子。
Sìshísì zhī zǐ shīzi.
Forty-four purple lions. - 書生說史詩，士司思詩史。
Shūshēng shuō shǐshī, shì sī sī shī shǐ.
A scholar speaks epics; officials ponder poetry and history. - 侍者送芝士三十片。
Shìzhě sòng zhīshì sānshí piàn.
The server brings thirty slices of cheese. - 自私司氏試匙。
Zìsī sī shì shì chí.
Selfish clerk tests spoons. - 柴扇撤，紙扇設。
Chái shàn chè, zhǐ shàn shè.
Remove the wood fan; set the paper fan. - 紫絲十尺，直尺試尺寸。
Zǐ sī shí chǐ, zhí chǐ shì chǐcùn.
Ten feet of purple silk; a straight ruler tests size. - 市場試吃素食壽司。
Shìchǎng shìchī sùshí shòusī.
At the market, sample vegetarian sushi.
j / q / x（舌面音要前、要輕）
- 小七騎小車去溪邊。
Xiǎo Qī qí xiǎo chē qù xībiān.
Little Qi rides a small bike to the stream. - 新鞋細繫鞋線。
Xīn xié xì jì xiéxiàn.
Tie new shoes with fine laces. - 去戲院看喜劇。
Qù xìyuàn kàn xǐjù.
Go to the theater to watch a comedy. - 小琪切七顆西瓜。
Xiǎo Qí qiē qī kē xīguā.
Little Qi slices seven watermelons. - 笑起來像小溪洗石。
Xiào qǐlái xiàng xiǎoxī xǐ shí.
The smile looks like a small stream washing stones. - 七個小朋友搶氣球。
Qī ge xiǎopéngyou qiǎng qìqiú.
Seven kids scramble for balloons. - 續寫小戲，細細寫。
Xù xiě xiǎo xì, xìxì xiě.
Continue writing a short play—write carefully. - 西區汽車急起急停。
Xīqū qìchē jí qǐ jí tíng.
Cars in the west district start and stop suddenly. - 新鮮溪蝦下鍋。
Xīnxiān xīxiā xià guō.
Fresh stream shrimp go into the pot. - 牽起小手去嬉戲。
Qiān qǐ xiǎoshǒu qù xīxì.
Hold little hands to play.
r / l（把 R 滾圓，把 L 拉亮）
- 老李繞路讓老劉。
Lǎo Lǐ ràolù ràng Lǎo Liú.
Old Li detours to yield to Old Liu. - 兩輪藍輪流來。
Liǎng lún lán lúnliú lái.
Two blue wheels come in turns. - 日落繞嶺，嶺路繞日。
Rìluò rào lǐng, lǐng lù rào rì.
Sunset circles the ridge; the ridge road circles the sun. - 旅人與漁人論雨。
Lǚrén yǔ yúrén lùn yǔ.
Traveler and fisherman discuss rain. - 讓路，拉欄，攔路狼。
Ràng lù, lā lán, lán lù láng.
Yield the road, pull the fence, a wolf blocks the road. - 熱榴槤連連落。
Rè liúlián liánlián luò.
Hot durians drop continuously. - 梅莉愛百合，百合愛茉莉。
Méilì ài bǎihé, bǎihé ài mòlì.
Mary loves lilies; lilies love jasmine.
f / h / hu / fo（氣流要順，嘴形別散）
- 風吹佛像拂浮灰。
Fēng chuī fóxiàng fú fúhuī.
Wind blows, Buddha statue brushes floating dust. - 火狐護花，花護火狐。
Huǒhú hù huā, huā hù huǒhú.
A fire-fox guards flowers; flowers guard the fire-fox. - 非粉非灰，非福非禍。
Fēi fěn fēi huī, fēi fú fēi huò.
Neither powder nor ash, neither blessing nor misfortune. - 湖邊呼呼，荷花忽忽。
Húbiān hūhū, héhuā hūhū.
The lake sighs; lotuses sway. - 福虎伏湖護浮花。
Fú hǔ fú hú hù fú huā.
A blessed tiger crouches by the lake guarding floating flowers. - 火候合乎和風。
Huǒhòu héhū héfēng.
The heat matches the gentle breeze. - 佛說浮生，浮生佛說。
Fó shuō fúshēng, fúshēng fó shuō.
Buddha speaks of fleeting life; fleeting life, Buddha speaks.
g / k / h（後音要清爽）
- 哥哥割葛根。
Gēge gē gěgēn.
Big brother cuts kudzu roots. - 咯咯咯，咕咕咕，咳咳咳。
Gē gē gē, gū gū gū, ké ké ké.
Cluck, coo, cough. - 客看柯柯刻可可。
Kè kàn Kē Kē kè kěkě.
A guest sees Ke Ke carve cocoa. - 烤烤餅，烘烘豆，夠不夠？
Kǎo kǎo bǐng, hōng hōng dòu, gòu bù gòu?
Bake cakes, roast beans—enough or not? - 黑河喝荷花露。
Hēi hé hē héhuā lù.
The Black River drinks lotus dew. - 苦瓜和芥末，嗆口可口。
Kǔguā hé jièmò, qiàngkǒu kěkǒu.
Bitter melon with mustard—pungent yet tasty.
s / sh / x（舌尖、舌面、捲舌分工）
- 西石濕，細砂失勢。
Xī shí shī, xì shā shī shì.
Western stones are wet; fine sand loses ground. - 三十隻小獅子上山拾石獅。
Sānshí zhī xiǎo shīzi shàng shān shí shí shī.
Thirty small lions go up the mountain to pick stone lions. - 曬石獅，濕石獅，試石獅。
Shài shí shī, shī shí shī, shì shí shī.
Sun-dry, wet, and test stone lions. - 細心洗筷，少說閒話。
Xìxīn xǐ kuài, shǎo shuō xiánhuà.
Wash chopsticks carefully; gossip less. - 小師叔試新書。
Xiǎo shīshū shì xīn shū.
Little junior master tests new books. - 小石獅守小石室。
Xiǎo shí shī shǒu xiǎo shí shì.
A small stone lion guards a small stone room. - 寫詩寫史，寫史寫詩。
Xiě shī xiě shǐ, xiě shǐ xiě shī.
Write poetry and history, history and poetry.
l / n（舌尖左右別打架）
- 牛奶濃又嫩。
Niúnǎi nóng yòu nèn.
Milk is thick and tender. - 老奶奶拿藍籃。
Lǎonǎinai ná lán lán.
Grandma carries a blue basket. - 李奶奶釀檸檬奶。
Lǐ nǎinai niàng níngméng nǎi.
Granny Li brews lemon milk. - 你來拿，拿來你。
Nǐ lái ná, ná lái nǐ.
You come take it; take it here to you. - 年年拿粘年糕。
Niánnián ná nián niángāo.
Every year take sticky New Year cake. - 兩隻狼黏黏臉。
Liǎng zhī láng niánnián liǎn.
Two wolves with sticky faces. - 橄欖藍，藍橄欖。
Gǎnlǎn lán, lán gǎnlǎn.
Olives are blue; blue olives. - 男南楠，藍籃欄。
Nán nán nán, lán lán lán.
Man, south, nanmu; blue, basket, railing.
u / ü（把雙唇收好，把舌位前推）
- 女驢去綠旅館。
Nǚ lǘ qù lǜ lǚguǎn.
A she-donkey goes to a green hostel. - 橘與菊，魚與雨。
Jú yǔ jú, yú yǔ yǔ.
Oranges and chrysanthemums; fish and rain. - 居女士拒去玉宇。
Jū nǚshì jù qù yùyǔ.
Ms. Ju refuses to go to the jade palace. - 曲院遇雨，驅雲欲語。
Qūyuàn yù yǔ, qū yún yù yǔ.
At Quyuan it rains; driving clouds want to speak. - 魚躍綠渚，語予羽舞。
Yú yuè lǜ zhǔ, yǔ yǔ yǔ wǔ.
Fish leap by green islets; words grant feathered dance. - 娛與御，鬱與玉。
Yú yǔ yù, yù yǔ yù.
Entertainment and imperial; melancholy and jade.
er / 兒化（尾音輕又準）
- 花兒兒笑，鳥兒兒叫。
Huār ér xiào, niǎor ér jiào.
Flowers smile, birds sing. - 這會兒那會兒，一會兒就好。
Zhèhuìr nàhuìr, yíhuìr jiù hǎo.
Now and then—give it a moment. - 盤兒碟兒擺好了。
Pánr dié’r bǎi hǎo le.
Plates and dishes are set. - 門口兒等會兒。
Ménkǒur děng huìr.
Wait a bit at the door. - 玩兒點兒玩意兒。
Wánr diǎnr wányìr.
Play with a few gadgets.
ch / q 對比（別把氣音與舌面音混了）
- 七隻赤翅雀。
Qī zhī chì chì què.
Seven red-winged finches. - 七尺赤磚牆。
Qī chǐ chì zhuān qiáng.
A seven-foot red brick wall. - 輕敲赤瓷器。
Qīng qiāo chì cíqì.
Lightly tap red porcelain. - 乞巧切芹菜。
Qǐqiǎo qiē qíncài.
Beg for skills and slice celery. - 吃七串烤起司。
Chī qī chuàn kǎo qǐsī.
Eat seven skewers of grilled cheese.
z / c / s（送氣對比要到位）
- 三次測速賽。
Sān cì cè sù sài.
Three speed tests. - 紫字自造。
Zǐ zì zì zào.
Purple characters self-made. - 在此坐字座。
Zài cǐ zuò zì zuò.
Sit here on the character seat. - 早操走草地。
Zǎocāo zǒu cǎodì.
Morning exercises across the lawn. - 祖孫做粽子。
Zǔsūn zuò zòngzi.
Grandparent and grandchild make zongzi. - 紫刺刺刺手。
Zǐ cìcì cì shǒu.
Purple thorns prick hands.
b / p / m（雙唇聲帶別偷懶）
- 爸抱包，媽抱貓。
Bà bào bāo, mā bào māo.
Dad holds a bag; mom holds a cat. - 泡泡跑，貓貓冒。
Pàopao pǎo, māomao mào.
Bubbles run; cats pop out. - 半把白板筆。
Bànbǎ báibǎnbǐ.
Half a handful of whiteboard pens. - 朋朋剝葡萄皮。
Péngpéng bō pútáopí.
Peng peng peels grape skins. - 不吃葡萄不吐葡萄皮，吃葡萄不吐葡萄皮。
Bù chī pútáo bù tǔ pútáopí, chī pútáo bù tǔ pútáopí.
Don’t eat grapes and don’t spit skins; eat grapes and don’t spit skins.
d / t（舌尖彈得準）
- 大弟弟端大盤。
Dà dìdi duān dà pán.
Big younger brother carries a big tray. - 天天踢鐵梯。
Tiāntiān tī tiě tī.
Kick the iron ladder daily. - 東臺燈塔，塔燈東臺。
Dōngtái dēngtǎ, tǎ dēng Dōngtái.
East-Terrace lighthouse, tower light at East-Terrace. - 掉袋打蛋，蛋打袋掉。
Diào dài dǎ dàn, dàn dǎ dài diào.
A bag drops to crack eggs; eggs crack and drop the bag.
r / zh 對比（卷舌抖一抖）
- 熱軟肉讓人饞。
Rè ruǎn ròu ràng rén chán.
Hot tender meat makes people drool. - 日照熱，枕著棧橋。
Rìzhào rè, zhěnzhe zhànqiáo.
Sun heat shines; lying on the jetty. - 人認真整理榛仁。
Rén rènzhēn zhěnglǐ zhēnrén.
People earnestly sort hazelnuts.
長句挑戰（進階耐力賽）
- 能說繞口令的小牛，扭著脖子念柳林；柳林六隻溜溜龍，溜到牛旁扭牛鈴。
Néng shuō ràokǒulìng de xiǎo niú, niǔ zhe bózi niàn liǔlín; liǔlín liù zhī liūliū lóng, liū dào niú páng niǔ niú líng.
A calf good at tongue twisters twists its neck reciting the willow grove; six slick dragons slip to the cow and twist its bell. - 山上三十三棵杉，山下三十三盞燈；上山賞杉樹，下山賞山燈。
Shān shàng sānshísān kē shān, shān xià sānshísān zhǎn dēng; shàngshān shǎng shānshù, xiàshān shǎng shān dēng.
Thirty-three firs on the mountain, thirty-three lamps below; go up to enjoy firs, down to enjoy mountain lights. - 出門碰瓷瓷碰車，車上乘客稱是「扯」；扯不扯，由你說，我只說「車沒錯」。
Chūmén pèng cí cí pèng chē, chē shàng chéngkè chēng shì “chě”; chě bù chě, yóu nǐ shuō, wǒ zhǐ shuō “chē méi cuò.”
Go out and bump porcelain, porcelain bumps the car; passengers call it “nonsense.” Whether nonsense or not, you decide—I just say the car’s not at fault.
Speed Ladders（從慢到快的節奏）
- 青蛙挖井井挖蛙。
Qīngwā wā jǐng jǐng wā wā.
A frog digs a well; the well digs a frog. - 烏龜跪桂櫃。
Wūguī guì guì guì.
A turtle kneels at a laurel cabinet. - 借姐姐九件舊衣。
Jiè jiějie jiǔ jiàn jiù yī.
Borrow nine old clothes from older sister. - 北碑北背，南碑南背。
Běi bēi běi bèi, nán bēi nán bèi.
Northern steles face north; southern steles face south. - 風吹粉，粉飛分紛。
Fēng chuī fěn, fěn fēi fēn fēn.
Wind blows powder; powder flies in flurries.
Practice Plan（Two Weeks To Cleaner Speech）
Day 1–2: Warm-ups 1–12, -n/-ng 13–20
Day 3–4: zh/ch/sh vs. z/c/s 21–33
Day 5–6: j/q/x 34–43, r/l 44–50
Day 7: f/h/g/k sets 51–63
Day 8–9: s/sh/x 64–70, l/n 71–78
Day 10: u/ü 79–84, er 85–89
Day 11: ch/q 90–94, z/c/s 95–100
Day 12: b/p/m 101–105, d/t 106–109
Day 13: r/zh 110–112, 長句挑戰 113–115
Day 14: Speed ladders 116–120; record, compare, repeat weak sets
Yak-Style Closing Nudge
Tongue twisters are tiny reps that stack into fluent muscle. Keep the tones tall, the endings clean, the air steady, and the rhythm smug. When your mouth gets cocky, add speed; when your accuracy drops, slow down and smile. Five honest minutes a day will do more for your Mandarin than five heroic hours once a month.