There are four tones in speaking Mandarin:
1. First tone is a high and level sound with the volume held constant, as in the word mā 妈
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which means mother. The symbol of the first tone’s pronunciation is a straight line – placed above the pinyin of 妈 MĀ.
Note that the word for mother 妈 has the symbol for woman 女 on its left and the symbol for 马horse on its right.
2. Second tone rises from middle register and increases in volume, like the pronunciation of a surprised `Me?’ As in the character má 麻
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which means numb. The symbol of the second tone’s pronunciation is a straight line slanting upward from left to right / placed above the pinyin of 麻 MÁ.
3. Third tone starts low, then falls lower before rising to a sound higher than the starting point. As in the character mă 马
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which means horse.
The symbol of the third tone’s pronunciation is a v placed above the pinyin of 马 MĂ.
4. Fourth tone starts high, then drops sharply, like saying `fine’ when agreeing to an order. As in the character mà 骂
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which means to scold. The symbol of the fourth tone’s pronunciation is a short line slanting downwards \ from left to right placed above the pinyin of 骂 MÀ.
Note that the three characters 妈 马 骂 all contain the radical 马。 Their pinyin is MA for all of them but a listener is able to differentiate between them because of their different tones.
The subtle difference between first and second tone is so hard for me. I usually end up using my hand to assist Chinese listeners determine what tone I really meant to use, instead of how it comes from my lips!
In English, tone is used to convey emotion not meaning. Of all things Chinese, I believe tones are the hardest things to learn.
Pat, Tones are difficult, even for native Chinese speakers. If you were born in Hongkong, you would speak mandarin with a Cantonese accent. The only way to learn is by repetition.
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