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Mandarin is a tonal language where pitch contours determine word meaning, and intonation shapes sentence type and emphasis. This guide focuses on stress patterns and how intonation interacts with tones in natural speech.

Tone

声调在普通话中是音位的：每个音节都带有四个主要声调之一（加上轻声），声调的变化会改变词的意义。声调必须学习和练习，因为它们标志着不同的词。

Tone is phonemic in Mandarin: each syllable carries one of the four main tones (plus the neutral tone), and changing tone changes meaning. Tones must be learned and practiced because they signal distinct words.

Tone Number	Hanzi Character(s)	Pinyin Syllable(s)	English Gloss
1 (high-level)	妈	mā	mother
2 (rising)	麻	má	hemp
3 (falling-rising)	马	mǎ	horse
4 (falling)	�骂	mà	scold
Neutral	吗	ma	(question particle)

Stress

普通话中的重音相对较轻，与英语等声调语言相比：每个音节都表现出其声调，但句子有韵律强调，某些词会被拉长或增强音量，以表达重要性或对比。轻声通常出现在无重音的音节上。

Stress in Mandarin is relatively light compared to tonal languages like English: each syllable surfaces its tone, but sentences have prosodic emphasis where some words are lengthened or louder to signal importance or contrast. The neutral tone often occurs on unstressed syllables.

Which statement best describes stress in Mandarin?

Mandarin uses stress patterns like English to signal lexical identity

Stress overrides tones in determining word meaning

Mandarin stress is relatively light because tones carry word meaning

Stress patterns can affect sentence rhythm and focus but do not change word meaning

Intonation

语调在句子层面叠加升降的音高模式，以标志疑问句、陈述句、列举和说话者态度。例如，疑问句通常以升调结束，而WH-疑问句以降调结束。语调通过相对于声调的音高变化实现，而不是取代声调。

Intonation overlays sentence-level pitch patterns on top of tones to mark questions, statements, lists, and speaker attitude. For example, yes-no questions often end with a rising pitch, while wh-questions end with a falling pitch. Intonation works through pitch movements relative to tones, not by replacing them.

What role does intonation play in Mandarin?

Determining word meaning on its own

Changing the underlying tone of a syllable

Marking sentence types like questions and lists

Expressing speaker attitude and emphasis

Sentence Types

陈述句通常以轻微的下降或平稳的音调结束；是非题会加入最后的升调或使用疑问语气词；WH-疑问句保持下降的声调；而附加问句则添加带有特定声调的简短语气词。语调线索帮助听者快速识别句子类型。

Declarative sentences typically end with a slight fall or level pitch; yes-no questions add a final rise or use question particles; wh-questions maintain the falling tone; and tag questions attach short particles with characteristic tones. Intonation cues help listeners identify the sentence type quickly.

How are yes-no questions commonly marked in Mandarin?

By using a falling intonation at the end

By changing the word order

With a final rising intonation

By adding the question particle 'ma'

Focus

焦点的强调通过重音、延长以及有时的停顿进行，突出新信息的重要词。当一个词成为焦点时，其声调保持不变，但音高轮廓可能会略微夸张或更清楚地表达出来。

Focus shifts using stress, lengthening, and sometimes pauses to highlight the newly important word. Sentential particles and word order can also signal focus. When a word is focused, its tone remains but its pitch contour may be slightly exaggerated or more clearly articulated.

Final Particles

句末助词如 ma、ne、ba 和 le 带有声调和微小的音高变化，能改变句子的语气、话语的轮换以及说话者的微妙情感。它们依赖语调模式，使听起来自然流畅，同时传达礼貌、确认或催促等细微意义。

Final particles such as ma, ne, ba, and le carry tones and small pitch movements that modify sentence force, turn-taking, and speaker nuance. They rely on intonation patterns to sound natural and to convey subtleties like politeness, confirmation, or prompting.

Summary

普通话首先依赖声调传达词汇意义，然后依靠语调表达句子类型和说话者意图，最后通过重音和语速表达焦点和强调。学习者应在语境中练习声调，倾听句子层面的音高变化，并模仿自然的语音节奏。

Mandarin relies first on tones for lexical meaning, then on intonation for sentence type and speaker intent, and finally on stress and timing for focus and emphasis. Learners should practice tones in context, listen for sentence-level pitch patterns, and imitate natural speech rhythms.

Stress & Intonation