Learn 4 Mandarin Tones through 妈麻马骂

As you have learned in class or in books, Chinese is a tonal language. There are four basic tones and a neutral one in Chinese pinyin. One function of mandarin tones is to distinguish the meaning of characters. With different tones, the meaning can be vast different. For example: 我问(wèn)你 – I ask you. 我吻(wěn)你 – I kiss you. How embarrassing it would be if we mis-pronounce the tone. However, don’t be scared away in order not to make mistakes. Most of the time, we understand what you are going to say based on the context. Now, let’s learn 4 mandarin tones through the 4 Chinese characters:

They are 4 different Chinese words, with similar pronunciation but different tones. If they sound the same to your ears, please go back and have a listen again and again until you can distinguish the difference.

妈 (mā) first tone, meaning “mom”

The first tone in mandarin Chinese has the highest pitch and keeps flat until it ends. The first tone sounds similar to the music note “sol” in “do、re、mi、fa、sol”.

More examples:

麻 (má) second tone, meaning “numb”

The second tone is a rising tone. It’s like responding when someone who is calling your name “Yes?” or similar to the question in English “This is your book, right?”

More examples:

马 (mǎ) third tone, meaning “horse”

The third tone may sound a little difficult to you. It falls down first and then goes up. In real situations, the third tone is often pronounced short and low. This is like connection in English. The key to pronounce the third tone right is to start as low as possible.

More examples:

骂 (mà) fourth tone, meaning “to curse”

The fourth tone is a falling tone, which sounds like being “angry”. Imagine a lady’s high heel steps on your toe and you shout “Ouch!”

More examples:

You can always go back and repeat after the native speakers. You can also join our online class to learn Chinese speaking with a native tutor.