四个声调
Four tones: high and level · rising · low, dipping · falling
Structure
第一声 ˉ 高平 · 第二声 ˊ 上升 · 第三声 ˇ 低（降升） · 第四声 ˋ 下降
What it means
Mandarin has four tones, four pitch shapes. The tone is part of the word: the same sound with a different tone is a different word.
How it is built
1st ā: high and steady. 2nd á: rising, like a surprised “What?”. 3rd ǎ: low; alone it dips and comes back up. 4th à: a sharp fall, like a firm “No!”: 妈 mā, 麻 má, 马 mǎ, 骂 mà.
When to use it
The tone mark sits on the vowel (ā á ǎ à). Anchor each tone with one word: 他 tā, 人 rén, 我 wǒ, 爸 bà. Say every syllable with its tone, even when you speak fast.
Watch out
Don't learn a word first and add its tone later: learn them together. Two 3rd tones in a row change: 你好 nǐ hǎo is said ní hǎo.
Examples
妈、麻、马、骂
mā, má, mǎ, mà: mum, hemp, horse, scold
他、人、我、爸
tā, rén, wǒ, bà: he, person, I, dad (one word for each tone)
你好！
Hello! nǐ hǎo: two 3rd tones, said ní hǎo
Learn this in 启蒙 · Lesson 1: 你好 (The four tones)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →