What are the four tones of Chinese characters and pinyin?
The four tones of Mandarin Chinese are essential to understanding and speaking the language correctly. Here’s a breakdown:
- First Tone (High-Level Tone, Flat Tone)
Sound: A sustained high and level pitch. Think of singing a single note.
Mark: Represented by a macron above the vowel (ā) or the number 1 (a1).
Example: mā (妈) means “mother”
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Second Tone (Rising Tone)
Sound: Starts at a medium pitch and rises towards a higher pitch. Imagine the way your voice goes up when asking a question.
Mark: Represented by an acute accent above the vowel (á) or the number 2 (a2)
Example: má (麻) means “hemp”
- Third Tone (Dipping Tone)
Sound: Starts at a medium pitch, dips slightly lower, then rises. It sounds like you’re pausing briefly in the middle of the syllable.
Mark: Represented by a caron or hacek above the vowel (ǎ) or the number 3 (a3).
Example: mǎ (马) means “horse”
- Fourth Tone (Falling Tone)
Sound: Starts high and drops sharply and abruptly to a low pitch. Imagine a brief, firm command.
Mark: Represented by a grave accent above the vowel (à) or the number 4 (a4).
Example: mà (骂) means “to scold”
Important Notes:
The same syllable with different tones can have completely different meanings. For example, the examples above illustrate how “ma” can mean four different things depending on the tone.
There is also a neutral tone, which has a lighter, unstressed sound.
Learning Tips
Listen and practice: Find a native speaker or use audio resources to hear the tones accurately. Practice your pronunciation by mimicking them.
Use tone charts: Visual charts can help you associate the marks with the correct sounds.
Start with simple words: Focus on mastering the tones with basic vocabulary before moving on to complex sentences.