Learn Chinese Chinese Tones and Pronunciation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many tones does Standard Mandarin Chinese have?
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 6
Correct answer: 4
Mandarin Chinese has 4 tones plus a neutral (fifth) tone used in some unstressed syllables.
Question 2: Which tone mark represents the second (rising) tone in Mandarin pinyin?
- ā
- á (Correct answer)
- ǎ
- à
Correct answer: á
The second tone (rising) is marked with an acute accent, as in á (like asking 'huh?').
Question 3: What does 妈 (mā) mean in Mandarin Chinese?
- Horse
- Scold
- Hemp
- Mother (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Mother
妈 (mā) with the first (high flat) tone means mother in Mandarin.
Question 4: The syllable 'mǎ' in Mandarin means what?
- Mother
- Hemp
- Horse (Correct answer)
- Scold
Correct answer: Horse
mǎ with the third (dipping) tone means horse (马) in Mandarin.
Question 5: What is the 'neutral tone' in Mandarin Chinese also called?
- Zero tone
- Light tone (Correct answer)
- Flat tone
- Soft tone
Correct answer: Light tone
The neutral tone is also called the 'light tone' because it is unstressed and short.
Question 6: Which pinyin letter combination makes the 'sh' sound as in 'shoe'?
- x
- s
- sh (Correct answer)
- c
Correct answer: sh
The pinyin 'sh' produces a retroflex sound similar to the 'sh' in 'shoe' in English.
Learn Chinese Chinese Tones and Pronunciation 1
How many tones does Standard Mandarin Chinese have?