Here are the pictures we use to help us remember the four tones of Mandarin. Listen to the recordings under each tone and then repeat. We are practising the tones using the sound ‘ma’.

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First Tone: sounds like a robot.

 

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Second Tone:  Sounds like a car going quickly up a hill.

 

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Third Tone:  Sounds like a skateboarder going down a ramp and then up again.

 

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Fourth Tone:  Sounds like someone landing with a bump.