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声调 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
声调shēngdiàotoneHSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #20917, Hard
声调shēngdiàonoteHSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #20917, Hard
声调shēngdiàoa tone (on a Chinese syllable)HSK 6, n, 17 strokes, rank #20917, Hard
shēngdiào(sheng1diao4)sheng diao T1
  1. 1tone
  2. 2note
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March 24, 2026

声调(聲調)shēngdiào(sheng1diao4)

声调 (shēngdiào) refers to the pitch accent in Mandarin Chinese that distinguishes meaning between words or syllables. Each of the four tones changes the meaning of a syllable, making tone mastery crucial for effective communication in Mandarin.

Strokes17Frequency#20917DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, correct tones are crucial in daily conversations, and a mispronounced tone can lead to humorous or embarrassing situations. Mastery of tones is often seen as a mark of respect towards the language and its speakers.

Memory tip

Imagine a musical 'note' (调) played on a 'sound' (声) instrument where the pitch changes based on how you play it. Visualize a musician adjusting their instrument to hit the right 'tone' as they perform, connecting the sound of your voice with the correct pitch in Mandarin.

Meanings of 声调

shēngdiào(sheng1diao4)
1tone
2note
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 声调

声调Simplified
聲調Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#20917Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 声调

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Podcast: 声调

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AI study notes for 声调

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse tones, leading to misunderstandings; for example, saying 'mā' (妈 - mother) instead of 'mà' (骂 - to scold) can completely change the meaning. Use 声调 in both formal and informal settings but be mindful of its context when discussing pronunciation nuances. Common collocations include '掌握声调' (to master tones) and '声调练习' (tone practice).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, understanding 声调 is key to advancing your Mandarin skills. Focus on practicing the four tones in isolation and in sentences to enhance your listening and speaking abilities, as they are foundational for this level.

Common Mistakes

Learners often incorrectly produce tones by substituting them with the neutral tone, leading to misunderstandings. For instance, saying 'ma' without tone may confuse it with '妈' (mother) or '骂' (to scold). Correct practice is essential.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 声调

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Component characters

声shēngsound
HSK 37 strokes士
View full entry
调diàoto harmonize
HSK 510 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say tone in Chinese

“tone” in Chinese is声调shēngdiào

声调 (shēngdiào) refers to the pitch accent in Mandarin Chinese that distinguishes meaning between words or syllables. Each of the four tones changes the meaning of a syllable, making tone mastery crucial for effective communication in Mandarin.

When to use 声调

Learners often confuse tones, leading to misunderstandings; for example, saying 'mā' (妈 - mother) instead of 'mà' (骂 - to scold) can completely change the meaning. Use 声调 in both formal and informal settings but be mindful of its context when discussing pronunciation nuances. Common collocations include '掌握声调' (to master tones) and '声调练习' (tone practice).

What learners get wrong

Learners often incorrectly produce tones by substituting them with the neutral tone, leading to misunderstandings. For instance, saying 'ma' without tone may confuse it with '妈' (mother) or '骂' (to scold). Correct practice is essential.

Write 声调

声
调

Practice writing 声调 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 声调

声调 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她说话____很高.

Her voice has a very high pitch.

Example sentences for 声调 (10)

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ntone7
1
她说话声调很高.

tā shuōhuà shēngdiào hěn gāo.

Her voice has a very high pitch.
2
学习汉语时，我们需要注意每个声调的变化，因为它们会影响词义。

Xuéxí hànyǔ shí, wǒmen xūyào zhùyì měi gè shēngdiào de biànhuà, yīnwèi tāmen huì yǐngxiǎng cíyì.

When learning Chinese, we need to pay attention to the changes in every tone because they affect the meaning of words.
3
在这首诗中，诗人的声调表现了他对故乡的深切怀念之情。

Zài zhè shǒu shī zhōng, shīrén de shēngdiào biǎoxiànle tā duì gùxiāng de shēnqiè huáiniàn zhī qíng.

In this poem, the poet's tone expresses his deep longing for his hometown.
4
在电话交流中，声调的变化可以传达不同的意图。

Zài diànhuà jiāoliú zhōng, shēngdiào de biànhuà kěyǐ chuándá bùtóng de yìtú.

In phone communication, changes in tone can convey different intentions.
5
老师强调，正确的声调可以帮助学生更好地掌握汉语发音。

Lǎoshī qiángdiào, zhèngquè de shēngdiào kěyǐ bāngzhù xuéshēng gènghǎo de zhǎngwò Hànyǔ fāyīn.

The teacher emphasized that correct tones can help students better master Chinese pronunciation.
6
在戏剧表演中，演员需要用不同的声调来表达角色的情感。

Zài xìjù biǎoyǎn zhōng, yǎnyuán xūyào yòng bùtóng de shēngdiào lái biǎodá juésè de qínggǎn.

In theatrical performances, actors need to use different tones to express the emotions of their roles.
7
声调在汉语中非常重要，因为同一个音节有不同声调时会有不同的意思。

Shēngdiào zài Hànyǔ zhōng fēicháng zhòngyào, yīnwèi tóng yīgè yīnjié yǒu bùtóng shēngdiào shí huì yǒu bùtóng de yìsi.

Tone is very important in Chinese because the same syllable can have different meanings with different tones.
nnote3
8
他的声调在演讲中起到了强调的作用，吸引了所有听众的注意。

Tā de shēngdiào zài yǎnjiǎng zhōng qǐ dào le qiángdiào de zuòyòng, xīyǐn le suǒyǒu tīngzhòng de zhùyì.

His tone in the speech played an emphatic role, capturing the attention of all the listeners.
9
音乐家的声调变化让这首曲子更加生动。

Yīnyuè jiā de shēngdiào biànhuà ràng zhè shǒu qǔzi gèngjiā shēngdòng.

The musician's change in tone makes the piece more vivid.
10
在不同的文化中，声调可能传达出截然不同的情感。

Zài bùtóng de wénhuà zhōng, shēngdiào kěnéng chuándá chū jiérán bùtóng de qínggǎn.

In different cultures, tones may convey completely different emotions.
Exercise 1 of 1

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Frequently asked questions about 声调

The four tones are: first tone (high and level), second tone (rising), third tone (dipping), and fourth tone (falling).

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