汉语教室Hàn yŭ jiào shì

Introduction to

Chinese Tones

声调shēng diào

Chinese has four tones. Each tone has its own

pitch, so some people think speaking Chinese

is just like singing! Pronouncing the tones

correctly is the most important step to speak

accurate Chinese.

Four Tones

ā á ă à

1st Tone 2nd Tone 3rd Tone 4th Tone

1

2

3

4

5

八 bāeighteightPing-pong1

2

3

4

5

1st Tone = High Tone

拔 bá

pull outpull outWhat?1

2

3

4

5

2nd Tone = Rising Tone

靶 bă targettargetWell, shall

1

2

3

4

5

3rd Tone = Falling-rising Tone

爸 bàfatherfather

No!1

2

3

4

5

4th Tone = Falling Tone

TRY IT OUT!

More words with same pronunciations but different tones!

雨yŭ

鱼yú

雨 & 鱼

书shū

树shù

书 ＆ 树

水饺 ＆ 睡觉水饺shuǐ jiăo

睡觉shuì jiào

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