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Tones 1–4 & Neutral Tone

Spoken Description

初学者汉语发音入门：详细介绍普通话四个声调的基础讲解，帮助识别和模仿声调变化，语音、韵母、声母关系以及口型、声带振动的关键技巧配合例句练习。

Quick start guide to Mandarin tones: cover the four tones and neutral tone with clear explanations, diagrammatic tongue and mouth positions, and practicing with sample words and phrases to develop intuitive tonal awareness.

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Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, so paying attention to the four tones plus the neutral tone is essential for clear meaning and natural speech. This guide covers each tone with sound descriptions and brief examples.

Tone 1: High-Level 吗？

声调1是平稳的高音，像持久的音乐音符。从头到尾声音保持平坦均衡。这个声调简短而果断，而不是夸张的。

Tone 1 is a steady high pitch, like holding a musical note. The voice stays flat and even from start to finish. This tone is short and decisive rather than dramatic.
Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Tone 1English Tone 1
妈māmother
花huāflower
他tāhe

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Tone 2: Rising 吗？

声调2从中间开始上升到高音，就像在问问题或表示惊讶一样。音调向上滑动，似乎在说“嗯？”或“什么？”用英语说时，它带有运动感。

Tone 2 starts mid and rises to high, like asking a question or showing surprise. The pitch glides upward as if you were saying "huh?" or "what?" in English. It gives a sense of motion.
Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Tone 2English Tone 2
麻máhemp
花huáslip
他táaskew

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Tone 3: Falling-Rising 吗？

声调3先向下跌再向上升，就像一个小的语调弧线。它起始于中低音，下降到低音，然后再升至中音。在随意的口语中，上升部分有时会下降，使声调听起来更低、更拉长。这个声调常用来表示犹豫或强调。

Tone 3 dips down then rises back up, like a small vocal curve. It starts mid-low, falls to low, then rises to mid. In casual speech, the rising part sometimes drops and the tone sounds more low and drawled. This tone often signals hesitation or emphasis.
Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Tone 3English Tone 3
马mǎhorse
花huǎto press
他tǎtower

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Tone 4: Falling 吗？

声调4从高速下降到低，像是在发出命令或强烈的陈述。声音迅速而果断地下落。它听起来比其他声调更有力量和能量。

Tone 4 is a sharp fall from high to low, like giving a command or strong statement. The voice drops quickly and decisively. It sounds more forceful and energetic than the other tones.
Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin Tone 4English Tone 4
骂màto scold
花huàspeech
他tàto step on

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Neutral Tone

轻声短促、轻巧且不带重音。它没有固定的音高，依赖于前一个音节的声调。轻声出现在虚词、词尾和一些常用词中，为话语带来自然的节奏感。

The neutral tone is short, light, and unstressed. It has no fixed pitch and relies on the tone of the preceding syllable. Neutral tones appear in particles, endings, and some common words, giving speech a natural rhythm.
Hanzi Character(s)Pinyin NeutralEnglish Neutral
吗maquestion particle
吧basuggestion particle
的depossessive particle

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Summary

普通话的四个声调通过音高塑造意义：声调1平稳高，声调2上升，声调3先下降再上升，声调4急剧下降。轻声轻巧、不重读。请聆听每个声调，结合简单的音节练习，以训练你的听觉和发音。

Mandarin’s four tones shape meaning through pitch: Tone 1 is steady high, Tone 2 rises, Tone 3 falls then rises, and Tone 4 falls sharply. The neutral tone is light and unstressed. Listen to each and practice with simple syllables to train your ear and voice.

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