Level 11/3
Lesson 1 · The four tones
Mandarin uses pitch to tell words apart. mā, má, mǎ, mà are four different words.
Practice
155
high and flat, like holding a note
✋Hold your hand straight out at shoulder height.
妈mā天tiān一yī
235
rising, like asking “huh?”
✋Sweep your hand upward, like a question.
麻má人rén龙lóng
3214
dips down, then rises
✋Dip your hand down, then lift it.
马mǎ好hǎo水shuǐ
451
falls sharply, like “no!”
✋Chop your hand down, short and firm.
骂mà大dà四sì
·neutral
light and short, no stress
✋A tiny tap — quick and soft.
吗ma的de们men
Homework
Listen and point: tap each tone tile, then say the matching gesture out loud.