4. Level Tones

There are three level tones in Cantonese:

Tone NumberTone 1Tone 3Tone 6
Tone NameHigh levelMid levelLow level
Diagram

Step 1  Listen to the syllable si in Tone 1, Tone 3 and Tone 6 together. Pay attention to the pitch.

si1 si3 si6

Step 2  Practice saying the syllable si in Tone 1, Tone 3 and Tone 6. Listen and repeat.

si1 si3 si6

Practice

Question 1

Practice saying Tone 1, Tone 3 and Tone 6 with other syllables. Listen and repeat.

  1. fan1 fan3 fan6
  2. fu1 fu3 fu6
  3. bou1 bou3 bou6
  4. daan1 daan3 daan6
  5. gwai1 gwai3 gwai6

Question 2

You will hear two syllables each time. Are their tones the same (S) or different (D)?

💡 Tips: Click the choices to see the answers.

  1. S / D
  2. S / D
  3. S / D
  4. S / D
  5. S / D
  6. S / D
  7. S / D
  8. S / D
  9. S / D
  10. S / D
  11. S / D
  12. S / D

Question 3

You will hear four syllables each time. The first three syllables are Tone 1, Tone 3 and Tone 6 respectively. Which tone is the last syllable?

  1. si ____
  2. si ____
  3. si ____
  4. si ____
  5. si ____
  6. si ____
  7. fan ____
  8. fu ____
  9. bou ____
  10. daan ____
  11. gwai ____
  12. fan ____

Question 4

You will hear one syllable each time. Which tone is the syllable?

  1. si ____
  2. si ____
  3. si ____
  4. si ____
  5. si ____
  6. si ____
  7. fan ____
  8. fu ____
  9. bou ____
  10. daan ____
  11. gwai ____
  12. fan ____