Basic Chinese Tones Four Tones Practice with Tone Cards

Basic Chinese Tones in Mandarin Chinese.  Is it important?  YES!

Introduction to the Basic Chinese series:  How can I introduce the Chinese language to my child?  Is it possible to share Chinese with my child if I don’t speak the language, and I am a non-native speaker?  

Yes, it is possible!

In this Basic Chinese series, I will give you a simple introduction to the Chinese language, and Chinese characters, and I will show you how you can introduce Mandarin Chinese to your child from ground zero. 

The first topic I have shared in this series is the Two Chinese Writing Systems: Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.  You can read it here.

This time I want to talk about Chinese tones!

You might have heard that Mandarin is a tonal language.  What does that mean?

Look at the picture below as an overview.

Chinese tones?!  What do the four tones sound like?  Here are an audio example for you.  Listen and catch the tones.

Chinese has 4 tones plus a neutral tone.  It technically has a total of 5 tones.

However, Chinese native speakers often disregard the fifth one when talking about Chinese tones in general.

That is why hearing Chinese native speakers say, “Chinese has 4 tones.”

Mandarin Chinese is not the only tonal language spoken by Chinese people.  Many of other Chinese languages spoken in different regions in China are tonal as well.

Over 70 Chinese words • Look & Find Design • Playful reading with Online Audio Support 

For example: Cantonese, which is spoken in Canton province, China, and its neighboring area as well as Hong Kong (Hong Kong Cantonese) has 9 tones.

Hokkien is used in Fujian province, China, and neighboring areas, and has 7 tones.

Chinese provinces are similar to the states in the United States.

Asian languages like Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese are also tonal languages.

In comparison, the tones in Chinese are manageable.  See the tone cards below and practice.

When the Chinese tone changes it becomes a different word.

Chinese Tones practice with the tone card shown above.

mā or ma1 means “ma” with a FIRST tone.  It is “mom 媽|妈.”

mǎ or ma3 means “ma” with a THIRD tone.  It is “horse 馬|马.”

Here is another fun tone card.

kū or ku1 indicates “ku” with a FIRST tone.  It is “to cry.”

kù or ku4 indicates “ku” with a FOURTH tone.  It is “cool.”

Say each word slowly and make it long.  Sing it with your child and it will make it quite fun.

Here is another…

yǔ or yu3 is “yu” with a THIRD tone.  It is “rain.”

yú or yu2 is “yu” with a SECOND tone.  It is “fish.”

By now, you see why tones are important in the Chinese language.  What’s for dinner?  Fish or rain?

Ready for another one?

táng or tang2 is “tang” with a SECOND tone.  It is “candy or sugar.”

tāng or tang1 is “tang” with a FIRST tone.  It is “soup.”

Kids get so excited with this one.  Candy or soup?  You will be surprised with what they pick.

The best way to practice tones is to listen, listen, and listen!

The more children listen to clear and correct Chinese pronunciation the more the correct tones stick.  This is the same for adult learners.  The language input always comes first!

The tool for you is this audio program that has helped thousands of families introduce Chinese to their young children.

“Let’s Learn Mandarin Chinese with Miss Panda!” streaming album has an introduction to Chinese tones and over 100 commonly used everyday Chinese expressions.

If you are a non-native speaker parent and want to introduce Mandarin Chinese to your child.  Listen to “Let’s Learn Mandarin Chinese with Miss Panda!” steaming album every day, download the album’s Companion Guide for visual input, and Chinese learning resources, and join the Chinese for Everyone community support!

Enjoy this fun practice with your child!