Chinese Tones Quiz — Master the 4 Tones
Twenty questions on the four Mandarin tones, the neutral tone, tone marks and the tone-change rules (sandhi) that trip up every learner.
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20 questions, drawn fresh every run. Instant feedback with a one-line explanation after every answer.
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The 4 tones, in one table
| Tone | Shape | mā family | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st — ā | High, flat | 妈 mā · mother | A note held steady |
| 2nd — á | Rising | 麻 má · hemp | "Really?" — voice climbs |
| 3rd — ǎ | Dip, then rise | 马 mǎ · horse | A low scoop |
| 4th — à | Sharp fall | 骂 mà · scold | A short command: "Stop!" |
| Neutral — a | Light, quick | 吗 ma · question particle | An unstressed mumble |
Three rules do most of the damage in this quiz. Two 3rd tones in a row: the first is spoken as a 2nd tone (你好 = ní hǎo). 不 changes to bú before another 4th tone (不是 = bú shì). And 一 changes tone depending on what follows it (一个 = yí gè). The written pinyin never changes — only the sound does.
How to train your tone ear
Learn words in tone pairs from day one: 买 (mǎi, buy) and 卖 (mài, sell) should live in your memory as a pair, not as neighbours in a list. When you meet a new word, say it with its tone gesture — flat hand for 1st, rising flick for 2nd, scoop for 3rd, chop for 4th. The movement builds the muscle memory faster than listening alone.
Retake this quiz after a day's break. Tone recognition decays fast at first and then locks in — three short sessions beat one long one.
The Chinese Quiz Cluster
Free practice quizzes that feed the full level test. Work the set, then measure yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tones does Mandarin Chinese have?
Four main tones plus a neutral tone. The four tones are high-flat (1st), rising (2nd), dipping (3rd) and falling (4th). The neutral tone is light and unstressed, used in particles like 吗 and 的 and in the second syllable of words like 朋友 (péngyou).
Why do tones change in words like 你好?
That is tone sandhi — pronunciation smoothing. When two 3rd tones meet, the first is spoken like a 2nd tone, so 你好 sounds like ní hǎo. 不 and 一 also change tone depending on the syllable that follows them. Spelling in pinyin usually keeps the original tone.
Is this quiz the official HSK test?
No. This is a free practice quiz from Cubbbix. It trains the tone skills the HSK listening and speaking sections depend on, but it is not affiliated with the official HSK, HSKK, YCT or BCT exams. For a full level estimate across vocabulary, grammar and characters, take our Chinese Level Test.
Can I really learn tones as an adult?
Yes — tone perception is a pattern-recognition skill, and adults who train with tone pairs and minimal pairs (mā/má/mǎ/mà) improve measurably within weeks. The trick is short daily practice with feedback, which is exactly what this quiz gives you.
What should I study after tones?
Move to the Pinyin Quiz for initials and spelling rules, then the HSK 1 Vocabulary Quiz to put the sounds to work on real words.
Cubbbix practice quizzes are study tools. They are not affiliated with the official HSK, HSKK, YCT, BCT or TOCFL exams, and no certificate is issued for the mini-quizzes — certificates come only from the full Chinese Level Test.
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