Tones

Pinyin consists of 4 tones: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Below are those tones as well as how you'd go about pronouncing them.

First Tone: Mā

High-level tone, spoken in a high pitch but steady.
EX: Mā (妈mother)
Pronunciation: How to speak tone

Second Tone: Má

Increasing tone; low then high.
EX: Má (麻hemp)
Pronunciation: How to speak tone

Third Tone: Mǎ

Decreasing then increasing
EX: Mǎ (马horse)
Pronunciation: How to speak tone

Fourth Tone: Mà

Decreasing tone
EX: Mà (骂to curse)
Pronunciation: How to speak tone

Nertual Tone: Ma

Steady tone, non-tonal
EX: Ma
Pronunciation: How to speak tone

3-3 Combination Rule

If a word contains two 3rd tones in one syllable, the first tone is changed into a 2nd tone.
EX: nǐ hǎo ➜ ní hǎo ➜ 你好

Resources

Typing tone marks keyboard: Tones

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