Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Mandarin uses four distinct pitch patterns to change word meaning; master these to be understood.
- First tone is high and flat: {妈|mā} (mother).
- Second tone rises from low to high: {麻|má} (hemp).
- Third tone dips low then rises: {马|mǎ} (horse).
- Fourth tone drops sharply: {骂|mà} (scold).
Overview
妈 (mā)。麻 (má)。马 (mǎ)。骂 (mà)。- 1a, o, e があれば、その順で優先されます。
- 2i と u が並ぶ場合（iu, ui）は、後ろの文字に書きます。
高 (gāo) |姐 (jiě) |牛 (niú) |水 (shuǐ) |买 (mǎi：買う) と 卖 (mài：売る) は、声調が違うだけで意味が逆転します。買い物中に間違えると大変ですね！また、问 (wèn：聞く) と 吻 (wěn：キスする) のような間違いは、文脈によっては非常に気まずい状況を生みます。你好 (nǐ hǎo) は、文字通りには第三声＋第三声ですが、発音は ní hǎo となります。これは日本語の「箸（はし）」と「橋（はし）」のアクセント変化のように、自然な発音のためのルールです。まずは「nǐ hǎo は ní hǎo と言う」という基本から慣れていきましょう。- 1「平坦な発音」：日本語は高低アクセントが緩やかなため、全てを平坦に発音しがちです。これは「声調がない」というより「全ての音を第一声で言っている」と誤解されます。大げさなくらい音の高低をつけて練習してください。
- 2「第三声の過剰な上げ」：教科書で習う「下げて上げる」を全ての場面でやろうとすると、会話が非常に遅くなります。文中の第三声は「低く下げるだけ（半三声）」で十分です。力が入りすぎないように注意しましょう。
- 3「第二声と第四声の混同」：第二声は「上昇」、第四声は「下降」です。日本語話者は、第二声で上がりきらず、第四声で下がりきらない傾向があります。手を使って、第二声なら右手を斜め上に、第四声なら勢いよく下に振り下ろす動作を併用すると、脳が記憶しやすくなります。
The Four Tones
| Tone | Name | Contour | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
High Level
|
5-5
|
{妈|mā}
|
|
2
|
Rising
|
3-5
|
{麻|má}
|
|
3
|
Dipping
|
2-1-4
|
{马|mǎ}
|
|
4
|
Falling
|
5-1
|
{骂|mà}
|
|
0
|
Neutral
|
Light
|
{吗|ma}
|
Meanings
Mandarin is a tonal language where the pitch contour of a syllable determines its lexical meaning.
First Tone
High-level pitch, sustained.
“{天|tiān}”
“{书|shū}”
Second Tone
Rising pitch, like asking a question.
“{人|rén}”
“{国|guó}”
Third Tone
Dipping pitch, low and long.
“{好|hǎo}”
“{我|wǒ}”
Fourth Tone
Falling pitch, sharp and quick.
“{去|qù}”
“{是|shì}”
Neutral Tone
Light and short, no specific pitch.
“{吗|ma}”
“{呢|ne}”
Reference Table
| 声調 | 名前 (中国語) | 音の動き | 記号 | 覚え方のコツ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1声
|
阴平 yīnpíng
|
高く平ら (5→5)
|
ā
|
高い音をまっすぐキープ
|
|
2声
|
阳平 yángpíng
|
上がる (3→5)
|
á
|
「えっ？」と聞き返す感じ
|
|
3声
|
上声 shǎngshēng
|
低く抑える (2→1→4)
|
ǎ
|
谷のように低く沈む
|
|
4声
|
去声 qùshēng
|
一気に下げる (5→1)
|
à
|
「ダメ！」と強く断る感じ
|
|
軽声
|
轻声 qīngshēng
|
短く軽く
|
(なし)
|
羽のようにふわっと添える
|
|
—
|
音階
|
1=最低, 5=最高
|
—
|
この5段階で音をイメージ
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
{您|nín} {好|hǎo} (Greeting)
{你|nǐ} {好|hǎo} (Greeting)
{嘿|hēi}! (Greeting)
{哈|hā}! (Greeting)
中国語の5つの声調
1声 (阴平)
- mā 妈 母 — 高く平ら
- fēi 飞 飛ぶ
2声 (阳平)
- má 麻 麻 — 上がる
- lái 来 来る
3声 (上声)
- mǎ 马 馬 — 低く抑える
- nǐ 你 あなた
4声 (去声)
- mà 骂 叱る — 急降下
- shì 是 〜である
軽声 (轻声)
- ma 吗 疑問の助詞
- de 的 所有の助詞
音階1–5での声調の動き
声調変化（変調）の判断ツリー
その単語は「不 (bù)」ですか？
「不」の後ろは4声ですか？
「一」の後ろは4声ですか？
「一」の後ろが1, 2, 3声なら？
よくある軽声のパターン
疑問・語気助詞
- • 吗 ma
- • 呢 ne
- • 吧 ba
所有・構造
- • 的 de
- • 得 de
- • 地 de
繰り返し言葉
- • 谢谢 xièxie
- • 爸爸 bàba
- • 妈妈 māma
熟語・単語
- • 朋友 péngyou
- • 名字 míngzi
- • 学生 xuésheng
レベル別の例文
{妈|mā} {好|hǎo}.
Mom is good.
{你|nǐ} {好|hǎo}?
Hello?
{他|tā} {去|qù}.
He goes.
{我|wǒ} {是|shì}.
I am.
{你|nǐ} {吃|chī} {了|le} {吗|ma}?
Have you eaten?
{我|wǒ} {不|bù} {知|zhī} {道|dào}.
I don't know.
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {什|shén} {么|me}?
What is this?
{我|wǒ} {想|xiǎng} {去|qù} {学|xué} {习|xí}.
I want to study.
{老|lǎo} {师|shī} {教|jiāo} {得|de} {很|hěn} {好|hǎo}.
The teacher teaches very well.
{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {一|yī} {个|gè} {朋|péng} {友|yǒu}.
I have a friend.
{请|qǐng} {你|nǐ} {再|zài} {说|shuō} {一|yī} {遍|biàn}.
Please say it again.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {电|diàn} {影|yǐng} {很|hěn} {有|yǒu} {意|yì} {思|si}.
This movie is interesting.
{尽|jǐn} {管|guǎn} {很|hěn} {难|nán}, {我|wǒ} {还|hái} {是|shì} {要|yào} {试|shì} {试|shi}.
Even though it's hard, I still want to try.
{我|wǒ} {觉|jué} {得|de} {这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {方|fāng} {法|fǎ} {更|gèng} {有|yǒu} {效|xiào}.
I think this method is more effective.
{无|wú} {论|lùn} {如|rú} {何|hé}, {我|wǒ} {都|dōu} {会|huì} {支|zhī} {持|chí} {你|nǐ}.
No matter what, I will support you.
{他|tā} {的|de} {态|tài} {度|du} {让|ràng} {人|rén} {很|hěn} {不|bù} {舒|shū} {服|fu}.
His attitude makes people uncomfortable.
{这|zhè} {件|jiàn} {事|shì} {情|qing} {非|fēi} {常|cháng} {复|fù} {杂|zá}, {需|xū} {要|yào} {深|shēn} {入|rù} {探|tàn} {讨|tǎo}.
This matter is very complex and requires in-depth discussion.
{他|tā} {的|de} {演|yǎn} {讲|jiǎng} {极|jí} {具|jù} {感|gǎn} {染|rǎn} {力|lì}.
His speech is extremely infectious/inspiring.
{我|wǒ} {对|duì} {此|cǐ} {持|chí} {保|bǎo} {留|liú} {意|yì} {见|jiàn}.
I hold a reserved opinion on this.
{这|zhè} {种|zhǒng} {文|wén} {化|huà} {现|xiàn} {象|xiàng} {值|zhí} {得|de} {深|shēn} {思|sī}.
This cultural phenomenon is worth deep reflection.
{他|tā} {那|nà} {种|zhǒng} {不|bù} {屑|xiè} {的|de} {语|yǔ} {气|qì} {真|zhēn} {是|shì} {令|lìng} {人|rén} {难|nán} {以|yǐ} {忍|rěn} {受|shòu}.
His disdainful tone is truly unbearable.
{这|zhè} {首|shǒu} {诗|shī} {的|de} {韵|yùn} {律|lǜ} {优|yōu} {美|měi}, {读|dú} {起|qǐ} {来|lái} {朗|lǎng} {朗|lǎng} {上|shàng} {口|kǒu}.
The rhythm of this poem is beautiful and rolls off the tongue.
{在|zài} {这|zhè} {个|gè} {变|biàn} {化|huà} {莫|mò} {测|cè} {的|de} {时|shí} {代|dài}, {我|wǒ} {们|men} {需|xū} {要|yào} {坚|jiān} {持|chí} {初|chū} {心|xīn}.
In this unpredictable era, we need to hold onto our original intentions.
{他|tā} {的|de} {方|fāng} {言|yán} {口|kǒu} {音|yīn} {很|hěn} {重|zhòng}, {但|dàn} {语|yǔ} {调|diào} {却|què} {很|hěn} {有|yǒu} {特|tè} {色|sè}.
His dialect accent is heavy, but his intonation is very unique.
間違えやすい
Both involve a change in pitch, leading to confusion.
Both start high.
Both can be short.
よくある間違い
Saying all words with a flat tone.
Use the correct pitch contour.
Making the 3rd tone too short.
Dip low and hold.
Confusing 2nd and 3rd.
2nd is rising, 3rd is dipping.
Ignoring the neutral tone.
Keep it short.
Treating 'ma' and 'mā' as the same.
Distinguish them.
Forgetting tone sandhi.
Apply sandhi rules.
Over-emphasizing neutral tones.
Keep them light.
Inconsistent tones in long sentences.
Maintain tone discipline.
Ignoring tone in fast speech.
Keep tones clear.
Mispronouncing 3rd tone in sandhi.
Use 2nd tone instead.
Ignoring regional tone variations.
Adapt to context.
Over-articulating in natural speech.
Speak naturally.
Failing to use tone for emphasis.
Use pitch for stress.
文型パターン
{我|wǒ} {是|shì} ___.
{我|wǒ} {想|xiǎng} {去|qù} ___.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} ___ {很|hěn} {好|hǎo}.
{如|rú} {果|guǒ} {我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {时|shí} {间|jiān}, {我|wǒ} {就|jiù} {去|qù} ___.
Real World Usage
{我|wǒ} {要|yào} {一|yī} {个|gè} {包|bāo} {子|zi}.
{在|zài} {吗|ma}?
{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {三|sān} {年|nián} {经|jīng} {验|yàn}.
{请|qǐng} {问|wèn}, {火|huǒ} {车|chē} {站|zhàn} {在|zài} {哪|nǎ} {里|lǐ}?
{这|zhè} {太|tài} {棒|bàng} {了|le}!
{请|qǐng} {放|fàng} {在|zài} {门|mén} {口|kǒu}.
「マー」の4兄弟を基準にしよう
自分の声を録音して聞き比べよう
Wǒ mǎi niúnǎi.
3声は「上がる音」だと思わないで！
Nǐ hǎo ma?
声調には感情が乗っている？
歌を歌ってリズムを体に染み込ませよう
Yuèliàng dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn.
Smart Tips
Drop your voice low and hold it.
2nd is a question, 3rd is a sigh.
Slow down your syllables.
Clip it short.
発音
1st Tone
High and flat.
2nd Tone
Rising pitch.
3rd Tone
Dipping pitch.
4th Tone
Falling pitch.
Question
Sentence + {吗|ma}?
Rising intonation at the end.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Remember: 1 is high, 2 goes up, 3 goes down then up, 4 goes down fast.
視覚的連想
Imagine a bird flying straight (1), a plane taking off (2), a boat dipping in waves (3), and a rock falling off a cliff (4).
Rhyme
One is high, two is rising, three is dipping, four is falling.
Story
Mother (1) bought hemp (2) for her horse (3) but scolded (4) it because it was too slow.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Record yourself saying the four tones 10 times in 5 minutes.
文化メモ
Standard Mandarin (Putonghua) is the official language with 4 tones.
Similar to Mainland, but some neutral tones are pronounced differently.
Cantonese has 6-9 tones, making it much more complex than Mandarin.
Tones evolved from ancient final consonants that were lost over time.
会話のきっかけ
{你|nǐ} {好|hǎo}, {你|nǐ} {叫|jiào} {什|shén} {么|me} {名|míng} {字|zi}?
{你|nǐ} {吃|chī} {了|le} {吗|ma}?
{你|nǐ} {觉|jué} {得|de} {学|xué} {习|xí} {汉|hàn} {语|yǔ} {难|nán} {吗|ma}?
{你|nǐ} {最|zuì} {喜|xǐ} {欢|huan} {什|shén} {么|me} {电|diàn} {影|yǐng}?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
一番低く抑える、谷のような形の音は：
mǎi (买, 買う) = 第___声
Find and fix the mistake:
「wǒ yào mǎi niúnǎi」を「wǒ yào mài niúnǎi」と言うと：
朋友 péngyou の 'you' の発音は：
你好吗 (お元気ですか？) の「吗」は ___声です。
Score: /5
練習問題
8 exercises1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th?
m_?
Find and fix the mistake:
Yes or No?
What is the greeting?
1st tone?
Contour?
m_?
Find and fix the mistake:
Yes or No?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
15 exercises声調記号と音の動きを繋げよう：
fàn と fǎn の意味の組み合わせは？
一 (yī, 1声) + 个 (gè, 4声) = ___个
この文の 'mái' は正しくは：
4声のイメージに一番近いのは？
順番に並べて： [mǎ (馬)] [mā (母)] [mà (叱る)] [má (麻)]
「来る」という意味の 来 のピンインと声調は？
3声の後に他の音が続く時、3声は___になります。
軽声で発音される単語はどれ？
「マー」の音と意味を繋げよう：
「ありがとう」の正しいピンインは？
3声の音の動きを数字で表すと？
並べ替えて： [hěn] [Wǒ] [gāoxìng]
不 bù + 去 qù (4声) = bú qù。 不 の声調は 4声 → ___声に変わる。
你好 — nǐ と hǎo の元の声調は？
Score: /15
よくある質問 (8)
They change the meaning of words. Without them, you might say 'horse' when you mean 'mother'.
No, they are part of the word. Skipping them makes you unintelligible.
It takes practice, but you'll see progress in weeks.
It's when tones change in sequence, like 3rd+3rd becoming 2nd+3rd.
Yes, tone sandhi is the main one.
No, Cantonese has more.
Listen, repeat, and record yourself.
It's a lack of tone, but it's important for rhythm.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Stress accent
Pitch is lexical in Chinese, not in Spanish.
Intonation
Chinese tones are word-level.
Stress
Chinese is a tonal language.
Pitch accent
Chinese has 4 distinct contours; Japanese has high/low patterns.
Stress/Emphasis
Chinese tones are mandatory for meaning.
Tones
None, this is the baseline.
Continue With
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