The Four Tones of Mandarin

Mandarin is a tonal language. There are four basic tones and a neutral tone in Mandarin. The basic four tones are sometimes modified when they occur in combination.

The four tones in Mandarin are:

1. High level but flat tone
2. Rising tone
3. Falling and then rising tone
4. Falling tone

Pronouncing the tone rightly is very important. Take a look at the video below for a better explanation.




Numbers or tone marks are used to indicate the tones. Here is the word ‘ma’ with tone marks:

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

Below are related videos about Pinyin Tones:

• Mandarin Tones by Bunny Lo
  
• Pinyin Tones by China-8.com
• The four tones in Chinese by EcPod.com