外国语中心

The 4 tones in Mandarin

A good Chinese learning requires a particular focus on the 4 tones, it is crucial to be understood by Chinese. Take good habits from the start!

Focus on you reading by slowly read pinyin texts to internalize the tones . It should be automatic in your pronunciation of Chinese.

For example you can read carefully this famous quote to train your pronunciation of tones:

Characters:「通往快乐的道路取决于两个简单的原则：发掘什么是你有兴趣并且擅长的事情，而当你找到后则整个人全心全意的投入– 你的每一分力量及企图心及天生的能力。」– 约翰‧洛克菲勒

Pinyin: `Tōng wǎng kuàilè de dàolù qǔjué yú liǎng gè jiǎndān de yuánzé: Fājué shénme shì nǐ yǒu xìngqù bìngqiě shàncháng de shìqíng, ér dāng nǐ zhǎodào hòu zé zhěnggè rén quánxīnquányì de tóurù– nǐ de měi yī fēn lìliàng jí qìtú xīn jí tiānshēng de nénglì.'– Yuēhàn‧luòkèfēilēi

English translation: “The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it put your whole soul into it – every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.” — John D. Rockefeller

Always remember to focus on the tones and take this good habits from the start!