Confused over correct pronunciation of two consecutive 3rd tones.

Good morning, anayelena! Some of the answers you find here: http://chinesepod.com/learnchinese/tone-rule-changes-for-bu/

yes, you are right " when there are 2 consecutive 3rd tones, the first tone becomes a second tone. " it apply to two consecutive 3rd tones words. if multisyllable word pronounce the 3rd tones, it follow this rule. or else, you can forget about it

anayekena i just wanted to point out an example i heard today in the "baby care" lesson on 6/30, after the dialogue, as john and jenny are explaining the word "hong3" (coax), jenny explains that it also can be used in a different context, and she says "hong2nu3ren2" (literally coax a girl) jenny also says "hong2xiao3hai2zi" (coax a small child) so, hong3 sui4 jiao4 (coax to sleep) vs. hong2 nu3 ren2 and hong2 xiao3 hai 2zi

Anayalena,

It's simple, the basic theory is this:

Two or more third tones together, all but the last one in the set is changed to 2nd tone.

Of course as with everything is life there are exceptions.

If there are an odd number of 3rd tones an a row, Chinese people will usually alternate them, this way:

wo3 xiang3 ni3 (I miss you) becomes ---- wo3 xiang2 ni3, instead of, wo2 xiang2 ni3

With an even number they will change them according to the rule:

wo3 ke3 yi3 zou3 lu4 qu4. (I can walk there) becomes ---- wo2 ke2 yi2 zou3 lu4 qu4.

Also, don't forget that Chinese people almost never use the rising part of the third tone!

Unless they are trying to emphasize that word, or in limited cases when the last word in a sentence is third tone, they won't use the rising part of third tone.  So when you say your third tone "zou", don't let your voice dip down low and come back up again, just let it dip down to a mild growl and leave it there.

If you use the rising part of third tone, your Chinese will always sound very unnatural.