Pronunciation
Jun 02, 2026
Chinese Tones: A Complete Guide for Beginners
Zhongwen Pro Team
6 min read
18 views
Mandarin Chinese has four tones plus a neutral tone. Mastering them is critical because the same syllable with different tones can mean completely different things.
The Four Tones
1st tone: High and level (mā 妈 - mother)
2nd tone: Rising (má 麻 - hemp)
3rd tone: Low dipping (mǎ 马 - horse)
4th tone: Falling (mà 骂 - scold)
Practice Tips
Use our AI Speaking feature to get real-time feedback on your tones. Practice daily with our tone drills.