Chinese Tone Quiz

Train your ear to recognize the 4 tones of Mandarin Chinese. Listen carefully and choose the correct tone.

The 4 Tones — Quick Reference

Tone 1
¯ 妈 mā · mother
Tone 2
´ 麻 má · hemp
Tone 3
ˇ 马 mǎ · horse
Tone 4
` 骂 mà · scold

👆 Click any tone to hear it

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Listen and identify the tone
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What are the 4 tones in Mandarin Chinese?

Mandarin Chinese uses four main tones. Each tone changes the meaning of a word even if the pronunciation of the syllable sounds the same. Mastering tones is one of the most important steps in learning Mandarin.

Why tones are essential in Chinese

In Mandarin, tones are not optional — they are part of the word itself. The syllable 'ma' can mean mother (mā), hemp (má), horse (mǎ) or to scold (mà) depending on the tone. Using the wrong tone can completely change what you are saying, which is why ear training is so important.

How to practice Chinese tones effectively

The best way to master Chinese tones is through consistent listening practice with real audio. This free tone trainer lets you hear native Mandarin pronunciation using real HSK 1 and HSK 2 vocabulary, then test whether you can correctly identify each tone. Regular practice — even just a few minutes a day — builds the ear training needed to speak and understand Mandarin naturally.