Introduction to the Four Tones of Modern Chinese

Tones are changes in pitch during pronunciation. They are determined by the tension of the vocal cords: tighter vocal cords make a higher pitch, while looser vocal cords make a lower pitch. Chinese tones are very important in phonetics because they are key to distinguishing word meanings.

Since ancient times, the Chinese language has evolved over a long period. Initially, there was no fixed tonal system, and different meanings were expressed through changes in pitch and length of sounds. Over time, these variations became fixed, forming a stable tonal pattern. The development of these tones not only shows the complexity of the Chinese phonetic system but also highlights the importance of tones in everyday communication. Learning and mastering these tones is essential for studying Chinese, as they play a crucial role in vocabulary and sentence structure.

Development of Modern Chinese Tones

In modern times, Chinese tones have developed into a more complex system. For example, Mandarin Chinese has four basic tones: first tone (high level), second tone (rising), third tone (falling-rising), and fourth tone (falling). Each tone has a specific pitch and duration, and by changing these characteristics, different meanings can be expressed. For instance, “妈” (mā, first tone), “麻” (má, second tone), “马” (mǎ, third tone), and “骂” (mà, fourth tone) are variations of the same syllable with different tones.

Modern Chinese Tone Pronunciation Methods

One important thing to note when learning Chinese tones is that tones affect not only the meaning of individual words but also the meaning of entire phrases and sentences. Therefore, correctly mastering and using tones is key to learning Chinese. Tones are achieved by changing pitch and duration. For example, the first tone has a steady high pitch, the second tone rises from low to high, the third tone falls and then rises, and the fourth tone falls sharply.

Chinese Tones, photo credit: happychineselearningmz2

Here is a more detailed explanation of the pronunciation of the four tones:

First Tone (High Level)

Pitch value: 55, high level tone. The vocal cords are tight, and the pitch remains high and steady, characterized by a high and flat sound. For example: 心 (xīn), 天 (tiān).

Second Tone (Rising)

Pitch value: 35, mid-rising tone. The vocal cords are initially neither tight nor loose, gradually tightening. The characteristic is a slide from mid to high pitch. For example: 平 (píng), 婆 (pó).

Third Tone (Falling-Rising)

Pitch value: 214, falling-rising tone. The vocal cords start slightly tense, immediately relax, and then tighten again as the pitch rises. The characteristic is a fall followed by a rise. For example: 米 (mǐ), 海 (hǎi).

Fourth Tone (Falling)

Pitch value: 51, falling tone. The vocal cords start tight and completely relax by the end, with the pitch falling sharply. The characteristic is a quick drop from high to low. For example: 看 (kàn), 快 (kuài).

In addition to the four main tones discussed above, Modern Standard Chinese also features another distinctive tone known as the neutral tone(輕聲). However, as it falls outside the scope of this current discussion, a separate article will be dedicated to introducing it.

Conclusion:

To master Chinese tones, practice is essential. Therefore, it is necessary to devote a considerable amount of time to repetitive practice in order to become familiar with and proficient in the variations of each tone. Consistent practice helps us pronounce more accurately, thus conveying meanings more clearly in communication.

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