Pronunciation
The Four Mandarin Tones
Mandarin is a tonal language: the same syllable said with a different tone is a different word. There are four main tones plus a neutral tone. Learn the contour of each one before memorising vocabulary — it is the single biggest source of misunderstandings for English speakers.
ātone 1 · 55
First tone (high level)
High and flat, like holding a note.
átone 2 · 35
Second tone (rising)
Starts mid and rises, like a question.
ǎtone 3 · 214
Third tone (dipping)
Falls then rises; the lowest tone.
àtone 4 · 51
Fourth tone (falling)
Sharp drop from high to low.
atone · · —
Neutral tone
Short and light, no tone mark.
The same syllable, four meanings
Every example below comes from the character data behind this site, with its original tone mark.
ma-
ba-
shi-
yi-
wu-
fan-
Where the tone mark goes
- If there is an a, the mark goes on it: hǎo.
- Otherwise it goes on o or e: duō, hē.
- In iu and ui the mark goes on the second vowel: liù, guì.
- With a single vowel, the mark goes on that vowel: nǐ.