Pinyin tones explained
Mandarin has four tones and a neutral tone. In pinyin they are written as marks over the vowel (mā má mǎ mà) or as numbers 1 to 5 after the syllable (ma1 ma2 ma3 ma4 ma5). A different tone is a different word.
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The four tones and the neutral tone
| Tone | Mark | Number | Contour | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | ¯ | 1 | high and level | mā 妈 mother |
| 2nd | ´ | 2 | rising | má 麻 hemp |
| 3rd | ˇ | 3 | falling then rising | mǎ 马 horse |
| 4th | ` | 4 | sharp falling | mà 骂 to scold |
| Neutral | none | 5 or 0 | short and light | ma 吗 question particle |
The syllable is the same (ma in all five), only the tone changes the meaning. That is why pinyin without tones is ambiguous.
Tone marks and tone numbers
Both notations say the same thing:
| Marks | Numbers |
|---|---|
| nǐ hǎo | ni3 hao3 |
| zhōng wén | zhong1 wen2 |
Tone marks are easier to read. Tone numbers are easier to type and survive copy-paste anywhere. The Chinese to Pinyin tool can output both, and it can also write pinyin without any tone information. Choose the one that fits where the text will be used.
Where does the tone mark go?
- If there is an
aore, the mark goes on it: hǎo, hēi. - In
outhe mark goes on theo: kǒu. - In other combinations the mark goes on the second vowel: jiǔ, huì.
Tone changes you will see in speech
Some tone changes are not written in pinyin, so a converter shows the base tone and you pronounce according to the rule:
- Two third tones in a row: the first becomes second tone in speech. nǐ hǎo is pronounced close to "ní hǎo".
- 不 (bù) before a fourth tone is pronounced bú: 不是 is said "bú shì".
- 一 changes depending on the following tone.
Learn the base tones first, then add these rules as you listen to native speakers.
Try it on your own text
Paste Chinese into the converter, or add the extension to see pinyin above characters on any page.
Practising tones
Reading pinyin and listening to the same word helps more than reading alone. In the converter you can press Listen to hear the text, and in the exercises there are modes for pinyin, listening and speaking.
Frequently asked questions
Why do tones matter so much?
Because they distinguish words that otherwise sound the same: mā, má, mǎ, mà.
Is the neutral tone written with a number?
Usually 5 (sometimes 0), or no mark at all.
Which is better: tone marks or tone numbers?
Marks for reading and teaching, numbers for typing and plain text.
Why does a tone in speech differ from the tone in pinyin?
Tone sandhi: some tones change next to others, most commonly two third tones in a row.
Can I get pinyin without tones?
Yes, choose the no-tones style in the converter's settings.
Try it on your own text
Paste Chinese into the converter, or add the extension to see pinyin above characters on any page.