Learn Cantonese on the Internet: Cantonese tones

CANTONESE TONES

Tones play a major role in determining what one is saying and whether or not one's Cantonese is well spoken. This page serves as an aid to help you familiarize yourself with the nine Cantonese tones. All nine tones have been given a "name" to describe the manner in which they are pronounced. Accompanying each tone is an example to demonstrate a)how the tone should sound, and b)how a small change in tone can alter what one may be trying to say.

Click on the play button ( )to hear the pronunciations. This requires a RealAudio player.

Please note that Chinese syllables don't always take on all nine tones. This explains why the first 6 examples cover the syllable sin whereas the last three cover jik.

Tone Number	Tone name	Example	Meaning	Pronunciation
1	High	sin¹	fresh
2	Middle rising	sin²	wash
3	Middle to mid-low	sin³	thread
4	Mid-low falling	sin⁴	gland
5	Mid-low to mid-high	sin⁵	eel
6	Mid-low	sin⁶	good
7	Mid-high	jik⁷	approach
8	Middle	jik⁸	spine
9	Low	jik⁹	sunset

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