The Six Tones

Cantonese has six distinct tones, compared to Mandarin's four (plus neutral tone). The tone numbering system is completely different from Mandarin — Cantonese tone 1 is NOT the same as Mandarin tone 1.

Here are the six tones with their pitch contours (on a scale of 1-5, where 5 is highest):

Tone 1 (高平 high level, 55) — High and flat. Like Mandarin tone 1 (high level). Example: 詩 si1 (poem).

Tone 2 (高升 high rising, 25) — Rises from mid to high. Similar to Mandarin tone 2. Example: 史 si2 (history).

Tone 3 (中平 mid level, 33) — Mid-range and flat. No Mandarin equivalent — this is a new sound for Mandarin speakers. Example: 試 si3 (to try).

Tone 4 (低降 low falling, 21) — Falls from low-mid to low. Somewhat similar to Mandarin tone 4 but lower and less dramatic. Example: 時 si4 (time).

Tone 5 (低升 low rising, 23) — Rises from low to mid. Similar to Mandarin tone 2 but starting much lower. Example: 市 si5 (city/market).

Tone 6 (低平 low level, 22) — Low and flat. No Mandarin equivalent. Example: 事 si6 (matter/affair).

The trickiest part for Mandarin speakers: Tones 3 and 6 are both level tones with no Mandarin equivalent. Tone 3 sits in the middle of your range; Tone 6 sits at the bottom. Distinguishing them takes practice.

Historically, Cantonese had 9 tones — the extra 3 were 'entering tones' (入聲) on syllables ending in -p, -t, -k. Modern analysis treats these as tones 1, 3, and 6 but with short duration. You may see them numbered 7, 8, 9 in older references: 7=high entering (=1), 8=mid entering (=3), 9=low entering (=6).