Four tones
Definition
The four tones in Mandarin Chinese refer to different pitch patterns used when pronouncing syllables. Each tone has a distinct pitch contour and can change the meaning of a word.
Related terms
Tone Sandhi: Tone Sandhi is the phenomenon where tones change based on their position in a sentence or phrase.
Neutral Tone: The neutral tone is often considered as the fifth tone in Mandarin Chinese. It has no fixed pitch contour and usually occurs on weak syllables.
Tonal Languages: Tonal languages are languages where differences in pitch contours can distinguish between different words or meanings.
"Four tones" appears in:
Additional resources (1)
AP Chinese - Unit 2 Overview: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity
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Cram Mode
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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.