INTRODUCTION : CHINESE TONES

 The Chinese language is based on it’s characters. I think

everybody recalls these objects when discussing Chinese,
and it is difficult to imagine this language without the
hanzis (ch. characters). Every single character has at least
one reading, but sometimes more, which is represented
using a writing system called “pinyin”. The pinyin is a
fairly new invention, it has been created approximately 60
years ago, mostly for foreign learners, so that one can
master the language without knowing the actual
characters. In the same time, it turned to be so effective
that it is now used in Chinese schools teaching native
students. Basically it uses the English alphabet with the
tones added on the top of the vowels.
 We can hear it quite often that Chinese is the most
difficult language in the world, because it has tones and
many people think it is impossible for humans other
than Chinese people to master. This way of thinking is
very misleading.

 Tones are indeed difficult to use and understand, since it

is not our native language. This is partly true though,
since if we say a specific sentence using different
intonations, the meaning might change as well.
Therefore, we have some kind of knowledge about tones
from the beginning, which we can rely on and start
learning the tones of mandarin Chinese.
 Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which
means that tones are used to define the
meaning of a word. There are five different
tones for this: flat, rising, dip, falling, and
neutral.
 Tones are not a completely new concept for
English speakers. Actually, we use them all the
time. Whether we want to show doubt, be
ironic, inquisitive or assertive, we use different
intonation patterns to mean different things.
 The difference is that the use of tones in
Mandarin Chinese is slightly more extreme than
that, and can completely change the meaning of
what you are saying.

 You can see why it’s important to learn how to

use Chinese tones correctly and why you should
never underestimate their power! If you want to
interpret what other speakers are saying and
you want to be understood yourself, using the
right tone is not an option. It’s a requirement.
Reading and Writing Tones

Pinyin uses either numbers or tone marks to indicate the

tones. Here is the word ‘ma’ with numbers and then tone
marks:

 First tone: ma1 or mā
 Second tone: ma2 or má
 Third tone: ma3 or mǎ
 Fourth tone: ma4 or mà

Note that there is also a neutral tone in Mandarin. It's not

considered a separate tone, but it is an unaccented
syllable. For example,  嗎 / 吗 (ma).
Pronunciation Tips

As mentioned earlier, tones are used to determine

which Mandarin Chinese word is being implied. For
example, the meaning of mǎ (horse) is very
different from mā (mother).

Thus when learning new vocabulary, it is really

important to practice both the pronunciation of the
word and its tone. The wrong tones can change
the meaning of your sentences.
Chinese Tones and How to Use Them

1.First Tone (Flat Tone)

The first Chinese tone you should learn is the flat tone. It’s made when your
voice becomes high and level. As its name indicates, it’s a flat tone, so you need
to keep your voice even and your pitch up.
Syllables said with this tone should be pronounced with a drawn-out voice that

doesn’t drop or rise throughout the whole segment.

As with all Chinese tones, the Flat Tone is represented by a symbol written above

the vowel. In this case, it’s a straight horizontal line, although you might also see
a number “1” after the flat syllable in question. 
Example:  妈 (mā) — mother.
 2. Second Tone (Rising Tone)

 Do you remember we said Mandarin Chinese tones were not so

different from English ones? Well, the Rising Tone describes a pitch
movement similar to the one we make to ask yes/no questions in
English.
 Try saying “Did you remember to pay the bills?”. Do you notice

how your voice rises throughout the question? Similarly, the Rising
Tone involves a moderate rising of your pitch to convey meaning.
 Now that you know how to use it, let’s see how to write it.
 The Rising Tone is represented by a rising dash above a vowel, or

by a number 2 written after the syllable.

 Example: 忙 (máng) — busy.
 3. Third Tone (Dip Tone)

 The Dip tone is one of the most challenging for Mandarin

Chinese learners. To produce this tone, your pitch has to go
down to quite a low point before rising again.
 are unsure, or to signal that we may have more to add: I don’t
want to go out with anyone at the m↘om↗ent (implying that this
might change in the future).
 In pinyin, the third tone is represented by a dip above the vowel:
我 (wǒ) — I/me, and (or occasionally by a number “3” placed
after the syllable). 
 Example: 我 (wǒ) — I/me.
 4. Fourth Tone (Falling Tone)

The Falling Tone starts high but drops sharply to the lowest area of
the tonal range. To pronounce it correctly, you have to say the
word forcefully, letting your pitch drop all of a sudden. Of all
Chinese tones, the 4th tone also tends to be the shortest in
duration.
 English-speakers can associate this tone with a command said in
an angry voice, so don’t be afraid to emphasise this one by making
it sound a bit imperative.
 The Fourth Tone is represented by a dropping dash above a vowel
(or sometimes by a number “4” written after the syllable).
 Example: 是 (shì) — to be.
5. Fifth Tone (Neutral Tone).

Of all Chinese tones, this is the most controversial one, as whether it is a
tone at all is actually up for debate. Instead of raising or dropping your
intonation, this one is simply neutral.
Now that we’ve told you how to use it, let us share some good news: as

there is nothing to change or emphasise, Pinyin doesn’t mark the Neutral

Tone at all.
Example: 吗 (ma). This is a question particle that turns affirmative phrases

into yes/no questions and is pronounced with a neutral intonation.

4 Changing Rules of Tones in Pinyin:

Rules No.1 Tone Changing of 一 (yī) ：

When 一 (yī) is used before the 1st tone, 2nd tone and the 3rd tone, yī will
change to the fourth tone yì, which is a falling tone.

Examples:

yī xiē yìxiē 一些 adj./n. some

 Rules No.1 Tone Changing of 一 (yī)

yī zhí yìzhí 一直 adv. all the time

yī qǐ yìqǐ 一起 adv. altogether

Rules No.2 Tone Changing of 一 (yī) ：

When a 3rd tone is followed by another 3rd tone, the former 3rd tone
will change to the 2nd tone, a rising tone.