Tones

Tones

In Chinese, tones play a vital role in identifying the spoken word.
Putonghua has four tones. They are:

1st :

The first tone is a high level tone. Pitch it where you feel comfortable.
Say 'oo' as in 'zoo' and keep going for as long as you can. You should
be able to keep it up for maybe half a minute. When you have got
used to that, change to another vowel sound and practise that in the
same way and so on.

2nd :

The second tone is a high rising tone. Raise your eyebrows every time
you attempt a second tone until you get used to it.

3rd :

The third tone is a falling and rising tone. Drop your chin onto your neck
and raise it again. Then practise the sound doing the movement at the
same time.

4th :

The fourth tone is a falling tone. Stamp your foot gently and then
accompany this action with the relevant sound.

Pronunciation drills:

(eight) (to pull up) (target) (father)

(mother) (linen) (horse) (to scold)

(to put up) (to answer) (to beat) (big, large)

(one) (to move) (chair) (to remember)

(house) (none) (five) (fog)

Back to Unit 3

1st :	The first tone is a high level tone. Pitch it where you feel comfortable. Say 'oo' as in 'zoo' and keep going for as long as you can. You should be able to keep it up for maybe half a minute. When you have got used to that, change to another vowel sound and practise that in the same way and so on.
2nd :	The second tone is a high rising tone. Raise your eyebrows every time you attempt a second tone until you get used to it.
3rd :	The third tone is a falling and rising tone. Drop your chin onto your neck and raise it again. Then practise the sound doing the movement at the same time.
4th :	The fourth tone is a falling tone. Stamp your foot gently and then accompany this action with the relevant sound.


(eight)	(to pull up)	(target)	(father)

(mother)	(linen)	(horse)	(to scold)

(to put up)	(to answer)	(to beat)	(big, large)

(one)	(to move)	(chair)	(to remember)

(house)	(none)	(five)	(fog)