Beginner course – Lesson 2 of 15
Mandarin Tones Explained
Mandarin has four main tones and a neutral tone. The same sound can mean different things depending on the tone. The classic example I use with students is “ma”.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 妈 | mā | Mother | 1st tone – high and flat |
| 麻 | má | Hemp | 2nd tone – rising, like asking “what?” |
| 马 | mǎ | Horse | 3rd tone – dips down, then rises |
| 骂 | mà | To scold | 4th tone – sharp and falling, like “no!” |
| 吗 | ma | Question word | Neutral tone – short and light |
妈
mā
Mother
1st tone – high and flat
麻
má
Hemp
2nd tone – rising, like asking “what?”
马
mǎ
Horse
3rd tone – dips down, then rises
骂
mà
To scold
4th tone – sharp and falling, like “no!”
吗
ma
Question word
Neutral tone – short and light
ā
1st tone
á
2nd tone
ǎ
3rd tone
à
4th tone
a
Neutral tone
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