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|[[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Pinyin-Introduction|◀️ Pinyin Introduction — Previous Lesson]]
|[[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Tone-Pairs|Next Lesson — Tone Pairs ▶️]]
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{{Mandarin-chinese-Page-Top}}
{{Mandarin-chinese-Page-Top}}
 
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Mandarin-chinese|Mandarin Chinese]]  → [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Pinyin and Tones → Tones Introduction</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">Mandarin Chinese Grammar → Pinyin and Tones → Tones Introduction</div>


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As a Mandarin Chinese teacher with 20 years of experience, I know that tones can be a tricky subject for beginners. But don't worry, after this lesson, you will get a better understanding of Mandarin Chinese tones and rules, making your Mandarin Chinese pronunciation more accurate and natural.
== Introduction ==


Welcome to the "Tones Introduction" lesson of the "Complete 0 to A1 Mandarin Chinese Course"! In this lesson, we will dive into one of the most important aspects of Mandarin Chinese - tones. Tones play a crucial role in the language and can completely change the meaning of a word. Understanding and mastering tones is essential for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.


<span link>Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Questions-with-不-(bù)|Questions with 不 (bù)]] & [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Negation|Negation]].</span>
Throughout this lesson, we will explore the four tones in Mandarin Chinese, learn how to pronounce them correctly, and understand the tone change rules. We will provide you with plenty of examples and practice exercises to help you solidify your understanding of tones. So let's get started!
==Tones in Mandarin Chinese==


In Mandarin Chinese, tones are an essential part of the language. Mandarin Chinese has four main tones and one neutral tone. These tones differentiate the meaning of words that are pronounced with the same sounds but with different tones.
== The Importance of Tones in Mandarin Chinese ==


===The Four Tones of Mandarin Chinese===
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which means that the tone or pitch at which a syllable is pronounced can change the meaning of a word. Unlike in English, where intonation is used mainly to convey emotions or emphasis, in Mandarin Chinese, tones are an inherent part of the language's grammar and vocabulary.


Below are the four commonly recognized tones found in Mandarin Chinese:
Tones are so important in Mandarin Chinese that mispronouncing a tone can lead to misunderstandings or confusion. Imagine trying to say "ma" to mean "mother," but accidentally pronouncing it with a rising tone, which would mean "horse" instead. It's clear why mastering tones is crucial for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.


<ol>
== The Four Tones in Mandarin Chinese ==
<li><b>First Tone (Flat Tone):</b> A high, level pitch, represented by a horizontal line above a vowel. For example, the word "mā" means "mother" in Mandarin Chinese with the first tone.</li>
<li><b>Second Tone (Rising Tone):</b> A rising pitch, represented by a diagonal line rising from left to right above a vowel. For example, the word "má" means "hemp" in Mandarin Chinese with the second tone.</li>
<li><b>Third Tone (Falling-Rising Tone):</b> A tone that falls from the middle pitch to a low pitch before rising again to a high pitch, represented by a diagonal line that goes down before rising. For example, the word "mǎ" means "horse" in Mandarin Chinese with the third tone.</li>
<li><b>Fourth Tone (Falling Tone):</b> A tone that falls sharply from a high pitch to a low pitch, represented by a diagonal line falling from left to right. For example, the word "mà" means "scold" in Mandarin Chinese with the fourth tone.</li>
</ol>


===The Neutral Tone in Mandarin Chinese ===
Mandarin Chinese has four main tones. Each tone is represented by a specific tone mark in Pinyin, the official romanization system for Mandarin Chinese. Let's take a look at each tone and understand how they are pronounced:


The fifth tone of Mandarin Chinese is the neutral tone. It is pronounced with a level tone and is used when a syllable that would normally have a tone is pronounced without one. The neutral tone is often used in combination with other tones to avoid saying two high tones or two falling tones in a row.
=== First Tone: High Level Tone ===


Here's an example of how neutral tones work in a sentence. The sentence is 你好吗？ (nǐ hǎo ma?) which means "How are you?" in Mandarin Chinese. The final particle 吗 (ma) is pronounced with a neutral tone because it is a question particle and helps to avoid two third tones in a row.  
The first tone is a high-level tone, indicated by a flat tone mark (ā). It is pronounced with a high and level pitch throughout the syllable. Imagine singing a note at a constant pitch without any change in tone. That's the first tone!


==Tone Change Rules in Mandarin Chinese ==
Here are some examples of syllables with the first tone:


In Mandarin Chinese, there are some rules about how tones change depending on the context in which they are used. Here are some of the most common tone change rules in Mandarin Chinese:
{| class="wikitable"
! Mandarin Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| 妈 || mā || mother
|-
| 骂 || mà || scold
|-
| 吗 || ma || question particle
|}


<ol>
=== Second Tone: Rising Tone ===
<li><b>Tone sandhi (连读):</b> Tone sandhi occurs when two syllables are pronounced one after the other, and the tone of the first syllable changes according to the tone of the following syllable. For example, the sentence "你好吗?" is pronounced with two third tones as "ní hǎo ma?" instead of "nǐ hǎo ma?"</li>
<li><b> Tone change before neutral tone:</b> When a syllable in Mandarin Chinese would be followed by a neutral tone, the tone of the syllable changes according to the tone of the preceding word/syllable. For example, in the sentence "我是中国人" (wǒ shì zhōng guó rén), the second syllable "是" is pronounced as the fourth tone instead of the second tone because it is followed by the neutral tone "zhong".</li>
<li><b>Third tones in combination:</b> When two third tones occur next to each other, the tone of the first third tone becomes a second tone. For example, the compound word "小心" (xiǎo xīn) is pronounced as "xiáoxīn" to avoid two consecutive third tones.</li>
</ol>


==Examples of Tones in Mandarin Chinese ==
The second tone is a rising tone, indicated by a rising tone mark (á). It is pronounced with a rising pitch from low to high. Imagine asking a question in English, where your voice naturally rises at the end of the sentence. That's the second tone!


Here are some commonly used words in Mandarin Chinese that demonstrate the different tones in the language:
Here are some examples of syllables with the second tone:


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"
! Mandarin Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English  
! Mandarin Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
|-
| 妈 || mā || mother (first tone)
| 马 || mǎ || horse
|-
|-
| 马 || mǎ || horse (third tone)
| 嘛 || ma || emphasizing particle
|-
| 吗 || ma || question particle
|}
 
=== Third Tone: Low Falling-Rising Tone ===
 
The third tone is a low falling-rising tone, indicated by a falling-rising tone mark (ǎ). It is pronounced with a low pitch, followed by a rising pitch. Imagine starting at a low pitch and then rising up in pitch. That's the third tone!
 
However, there is a special rule for the third tone in Mandarin Chinese. When it appears in isolation or before another third tone, it is pronounced differently. Instead of a low falling-rising tone, it becomes a low level tone. We will discuss this in more detail later in the lesson.
 
Here are some examples of syllables with the third tone:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Mandarin Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
|-
| 麻 || má || numb (second tone)
| 马 || mǎ || scold
|-
|-
| 骂 || mà || scold (fourth tone)
| 吗 || ma || question particle
|-
|-
| 一 || yī || one (first tone)
| 嘛 || ma || emphasizing particle
|}
 
=== Fourth Tone: Falling Tone ===
 
The fourth tone is a falling tone, indicated by a falling tone mark (à). It is pronounced with a sharp falling pitch from high to low. Imagine giving a command or expressing surprise in English, where your voice drops suddenly at the end of the sentence. That's the fourth tone!
 
Here are some examples of syllables with the fourth tone:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Mandarin Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
|-
| 衣服 || yī fu || clothes (first and fourth tone)
| 骂 || mà || scold
|-
|-
| 有 || yǒu || have (third tone)
| 吗 || ma || question particle
|-
|-
|友人|| yǒu rén || friend (third and first tone)
| 嘛 || ma || emphasizing particle
|}
|}


==Practice Makes Perfect==


To improve your Mandarin Chinese tone pronunciation, it is essential to practice. You can listen to various Mandarin Chinese podcasts, watch Chinese movies or dramatizations or make use of various courses offered by Mandarin Chinese language institutes such as Confucius Institute. Practising every day can help you speak more accurately and fluently.
== Tone Change Rules ==
 
In addition to the four main tones, Mandarin Chinese also has tone change rules. These rules determine how tones change when certain combinations of tones occur in a sentence. Understanding these rules will help you pronounce words and sentences more naturally.
 
=== Tone Change Rule 1: Third Tone Sandhi ===
 
As mentioned earlier, the third tone has a special rule called "Third Tone Sandhi." When the third tone appears in isolation or before another third tone, it changes from a low falling-rising tone to a low level tone. This change makes pronunciation easier and more fluid.
 
For example:
* 三 (sān) + 个 (ge) = 三个 (sān ge) - three
 
In this case, the "三" (sān) changes its pronunciation from "sǎn" to "sān" due to the Third Tone Sandhi rule.
 
=== Tone Change Rule 2: Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs ===
 
Certain combinations of tones in Mandarin Chinese follow specific tone change patterns, known as "Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs." These tone changes occur to make the pronunciation flow more smoothly. Let's take a look at some of these tone change patterns:
 
==== Tone Pair 3-3 (332) ====
 
When two third tones (332) appear consecutively, the first third tone changes to a second tone. This change helps avoid pronouncing two consecutive low falling-rising tones, which can be challenging.
 
For example:
* 那个 (nà ge) - that
 
In this case, the first "nà" changes its pronunciation from "nǎ" to "nà" due to the Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs rule.
 
==== Tone Pair 1-2 (12) ====
 
When a first tone (1) is followed by a second tone (2), the first tone changes to a neutral tone. The neutral tone is not a specific tone, and its pitch remains flat and unstressed.
 
For example:
* 你好 (nǐ hǎo) - hello
 
In this case, the "nǐ" changes its pronunciation from "ní" to "nǐ" due to the Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs rule.
 
These are just a few examples of the tone change rules in Mandarin Chinese. As you continue your language learning journey, you will encounter more tone change patterns and become more comfortable with them.
 
== Practice Exercises ==
 
Now that we have learned about the four tones and the tone change rules in Mandarin Chinese, it's time to practice! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of tones. Read the following syllables out loud and pay attention to the correct tone pronunciation:
 
* mā, mǎ, mà, má
* bā, bá, bǎ, bà
* dā, dá, dǎ, dà
* gā, gá, gǎ, gà
 
Try to pronounce each syllable with the correct tone and pay attention to your pitch. Practice these exercises regularly to train your ear and develop accurate tone pronunciation skills.
 
== Conclusion ==
 
Congratulations! You have completed the "Tones Introduction" lesson of the "Complete 0 to A1 Mandarin Chinese Course." In this lesson, you learned about the four tones in Mandarin Chinese, their pronunciation, and the tone change rules. Remember, mastering tones is essential for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.


==Sources Used==
Continue practicing your tone pronunciation and familiarize yourself with more vocabulary. As you progress in your language learning journey, you will become more comfortable with tones and develop a natural rhythm in your Mandarin Chinese speech.
<ul>
 
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_Chinese">Mandarin Chinese</a></li>
Keep up the great work, and we'll see you in the next lesson!
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_(linguistics)">Tone (linguistics)</a></li>
</ul>


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Mandarin Chinese Grammar: Pinyin and Tones Introduction | Learn Chinese
|title=Mandarin Chinese Grammar → Pinyin and Tones → Tones Introduction
|keywords=Mandarin Chinese, tones, pinyin, beginner, pronunciation, tone change  
|keywords=Mandarin Chinese, tones, Pinyin, Mandarin Chinese grammar, tone change rules, Mandarin Chinese course
|description=In this introductory lesson to tones in Mandarin Chinese, learn pronunciation, change rules, and examples to improve your beginner level  Mandarin Chinese skills.
|description=In this lesson, you will learn about the four tones in Mandarin Chinese, their pronunciation, and the tone change rules. Mastering tones is essential for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese. Read on to discover more!
}}
}}


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[[Category:Mandarin-chinese-0-to-A1-Course]]
[[Category:Mandarin-chinese-0-to-A1-Course]]
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==Other Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
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* [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Common-and-Proper-Nouns|Common and Proper Nouns]]
* [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Common-and-Proper-Nouns|Common and Proper Nouns]]
* [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/和-(hé)|和 (hé)]]
* [[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/和-(hé)|和 (hé)]]


{{Mandarin-chinese-Page-Bottom}}
{{Mandarin-chinese-Page-Bottom}}
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|[[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Pinyin-Introduction|◀️ Pinyin Introduction — Previous Lesson]]
|[[Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Tone-Pairs|Next Lesson — Tone Pairs ▶️]]
|}
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Latest revision as of 05:20, 17 June 2023

◀️ Pinyin Introduction — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Tone Pairs ▶️

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Mandarin Chinese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Pinyin and Tones → Tones Introduction

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Welcome to the "Tones Introduction" lesson of the "Complete 0 to A1 Mandarin Chinese Course"! In this lesson, we will dive into one of the most important aspects of Mandarin Chinese - tones. Tones play a crucial role in the language and can completely change the meaning of a word. Understanding and mastering tones is essential for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.

Throughout this lesson, we will explore the four tones in Mandarin Chinese, learn how to pronounce them correctly, and understand the tone change rules. We will provide you with plenty of examples and practice exercises to help you solidify your understanding of tones. So let's get started!

The Importance of Tones in Mandarin Chinese[edit | edit source]

Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which means that the tone or pitch at which a syllable is pronounced can change the meaning of a word. Unlike in English, where intonation is used mainly to convey emotions or emphasis, in Mandarin Chinese, tones are an inherent part of the language's grammar and vocabulary.

Tones are so important in Mandarin Chinese that mispronouncing a tone can lead to misunderstandings or confusion. Imagine trying to say "ma" to mean "mother," but accidentally pronouncing it with a rising tone, which would mean "horse" instead. It's clear why mastering tones is crucial for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.

The Four Tones in Mandarin Chinese[edit | edit source]

Mandarin Chinese has four main tones. Each tone is represented by a specific tone mark in Pinyin, the official romanization system for Mandarin Chinese. Let's take a look at each tone and understand how they are pronounced:

First Tone: High Level Tone[edit | edit source]

The first tone is a high-level tone, indicated by a flat tone mark (ā). It is pronounced with a high and level pitch throughout the syllable. Imagine singing a note at a constant pitch without any change in tone. That's the first tone!

Here are some examples of syllables with the first tone:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
妈 mā mother
骂 mà scold
吗 ma question particle

Second Tone: Rising Tone[edit | edit source]

The second tone is a rising tone, indicated by a rising tone mark (á). It is pronounced with a rising pitch from low to high. Imagine asking a question in English, where your voice naturally rises at the end of the sentence. That's the second tone!

Here are some examples of syllables with the second tone:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
马 mǎ horse
嘛 ma emphasizing particle
吗 ma question particle

Third Tone: Low Falling-Rising Tone[edit | edit source]

The third tone is a low falling-rising tone, indicated by a falling-rising tone mark (ǎ). It is pronounced with a low pitch, followed by a rising pitch. Imagine starting at a low pitch and then rising up in pitch. That's the third tone!

However, there is a special rule for the third tone in Mandarin Chinese. When it appears in isolation or before another third tone, it is pronounced differently. Instead of a low falling-rising tone, it becomes a low level tone. We will discuss this in more detail later in the lesson.

Here are some examples of syllables with the third tone:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
马 mǎ scold
吗 ma question particle
嘛 ma emphasizing particle

Fourth Tone: Falling Tone[edit | edit source]

The fourth tone is a falling tone, indicated by a falling tone mark (à). It is pronounced with a sharp falling pitch from high to low. Imagine giving a command or expressing surprise in English, where your voice drops suddenly at the end of the sentence. That's the fourth tone!

Here are some examples of syllables with the fourth tone:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
骂 mà scold
吗 ma question particle
嘛 ma emphasizing particle


Tone Change Rules[edit | edit source]

In addition to the four main tones, Mandarin Chinese also has tone change rules. These rules determine how tones change when certain combinations of tones occur in a sentence. Understanding these rules will help you pronounce words and sentences more naturally.

Tone Change Rule 1: Third Tone Sandhi[edit | edit source]

As mentioned earlier, the third tone has a special rule called "Third Tone Sandhi." When the third tone appears in isolation or before another third tone, it changes from a low falling-rising tone to a low level tone. This change makes pronunciation easier and more fluid.

For example:

  • 三 (sān) + 个 (ge) = 三个 (sān ge) - three

In this case, the "三" (sān) changes its pronunciation from "sǎn" to "sān" due to the Third Tone Sandhi rule.

Tone Change Rule 2: Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs[edit | edit source]

Certain combinations of tones in Mandarin Chinese follow specific tone change patterns, known as "Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs." These tone changes occur to make the pronunciation flow more smoothly. Let's take a look at some of these tone change patterns:

Tone Pair 3-3 (332)[edit | edit source]

When two third tones (332) appear consecutively, the first third tone changes to a second tone. This change helps avoid pronouncing two consecutive low falling-rising tones, which can be challenging.

For example:

  • 那个 (nà ge) - that

In this case, the first "nà" changes its pronunciation from "nǎ" to "nà" due to the Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs rule.

Tone Pair 1-2 (12)[edit | edit source]

When a first tone (1) is followed by a second tone (2), the first tone changes to a neutral tone. The neutral tone is not a specific tone, and its pitch remains flat and unstressed.

For example:

  • 你好 (nǐ hǎo) - hello

In this case, the "nǐ" changes its pronunciation from "ní" to "nǐ" due to the Tone Sandhi in Tone Pairs rule.

These are just a few examples of the tone change rules in Mandarin Chinese. As you continue your language learning journey, you will encounter more tone change patterns and become more comfortable with them.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we have learned about the four tones and the tone change rules in Mandarin Chinese, it's time to practice! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of tones. Read the following syllables out loud and pay attention to the correct tone pronunciation:

  • mā, mǎ, mà, má
  • bā, bá, bǎ, bà
  • dā, dá, dǎ, dà
  • gā, gá, gǎ, gà

Try to pronounce each syllable with the correct tone and pay attention to your pitch. Practice these exercises regularly to train your ear and develop accurate tone pronunciation skills.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have completed the "Tones Introduction" lesson of the "Complete 0 to A1 Mandarin Chinese Course." In this lesson, you learned about the four tones in Mandarin Chinese, their pronunciation, and the tone change rules. Remember, mastering tones is essential for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.

Continue practicing your tone pronunciation and familiarize yourself with more vocabulary. As you progress in your language learning journey, you will become more comfortable with tones and develop a natural rhythm in your Mandarin Chinese speech.

Keep up the great work, and we'll see you in the next lesson!

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Pinyin and Tones


Greetings and Basic Expressions


Sentence Structure and Word Order


Daily Life and Survival Expressions


Chinese Festivals and Traditions


Verbs and Verb Usage


Hobbies, Sports and Activities


China's Geography and Landmarks


Nouns and Pronouns


Professions and Personality Traits


Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts


Comparative and Superlative


Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations


Modern China and Current Events



Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Pinyin Introduction — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Tone Pairs ▶️

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