Chinese Tones Chart
Use this Chinese tones chart to see how one syllable changes with tone. Choose a syllable and tone for the contour, tone mark, character and meaning.
Result
Choose a tone to see its contour.
Tone
horse
Chao pitch number: 214
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How to read a Chinese tones chart
A Chinese tones chart shows that tone is part of the word, not optional decoration. The ma set is the classic teaching example: mā means mother, while mǎ means horse and mà means to scold.
The four tones use Chao pitch numbers from 5, the highest level, to 1, the lowest. Tone 1 is high and level, tone 2 rises, tone 3 dips low and rises, and tone 4 falls sharply. The neutral tone is short and light, with pitch depending on the preceding tone.
For tone marks, place the mark on a when there is one; otherwise use o or e. In iu and ui, place it on the last vowel, and replace the dot on i with the mark. Tone sandhi changes how some written tones are said: two third tones become second-plus-third in 你好, 不 becomes bú before a fourth tone, and 一 becomes yì or yí according to the following tone.
Chao pitch numbers: 5 = highest · 1 = lowest This chart shows written tone categories and contours. It does not include audio; listen to a qualified teacher or reliable course for pronunciation practice.
Chinese tones chart FAQ
How many tones are in Mandarin Chinese?
Mandarin has four main tones plus a neutral tone. The neutral tone is short and light, and its pitch depends on the preceding tone.
Why does the same syllable have different meanings?
Tone is part of a Mandarin word. For example, mā means mother, má means hemp or numb, mǎ means horse, mà means to scold, and ma is a question particle.
What do the numbers in 214 or 51 mean?
They are Chao pitch numbers: 5 is the highest pitch level and 1 is the lowest. Tone 3, for example, moves 2 to 1 to 4.
Where does a Pinyin tone mark go?
Put it on a when present, otherwise on o or e. In iu and ui it goes on the last vowel, and the mark replaces the dot on i.
What is tone sandhi?
Tone sandhi is a pronunciation change caused by neighboring tones. Two third tones are pronounced second tone plus third tone, as in 你好, written nǐ hǎo and said ní hǎo.