Free Mandarin tone test
Mandarin has four tones, and the same syllable means different words depending on which one you use. Press play, listen, and pick the tone you hear. No sign-up - just find out how good your ear is.
The four Mandarin tones
The classic example is ma: said four ways it means four different words. Getting the tone wrong doesn't give you an accent - it gives you the wrong word.
- 1st - high & flat · mā (妈) = mother
- 2nd - rising · má (麻) = hemp
- 3rd - dipping · mǎ (马) = horse
- 4th - falling · mà (骂) = to scold
Want to actually get good at these? Read the four tones explained, how to learn Mandarin tones, or browse common phrases with audio.
FAQ
What is a Mandarin tone test?
A quick listening quiz: you hear a Chinese syllable and identify which of the four Mandarin tones it uses - first (high-flat), second (rising), third (dipping), or fourth (falling). It measures how well your ear distinguishes the tones.
Is this tone test free?
Yes - it's completely free and needs no sign-up. Just press play and pick the tone you hear. You can retake it as many times as you like.
Why are Mandarin tones so important?
Mandarin is tonal, so the same syllable means different words depending on its tone. 'ma' can mean mother, hemp, horse, or scold. Get the tone wrong and you say a different word - which is why ear training matters more than memorising rules.
How can I get better at hearing tones?
Daily ear training with minimal pairs (the same syllable in all four tones), plus saying them aloud and checking your pronunciation. ToneDeck does exactly this - tone drills, spaced-repetition review, and a pronunciation check that scores your tones.
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