Mandarin Tones Test
Listen to 12 syllables, see your accuracy for all four tones, and practice the tones you confuse most.
12 questions · about 3 minutes · free · no signup
Quick Tone Reference
Use this Mandarin tones test to check all four tone shapes before moving into focused practice based on this session.
- 1st tone: High and flat
- 2nd tone: Rising
- 3rd tone: Dipping / low-rising
- 4th tone: Falling
How this quiz works
- Complete 12 listening questions, with 3 questions for each tone.
- Choose the tone you hear.
- Review your four-tone results and practice the contrast you confused most.
Common mistakes
- Confusing 2nd tone and 3rd tone when both sound like movement upward.
- Hearing the tone shape but ignoring the syllable itself.
- Rushing without replaying audio when the contrast is unclear.
Other next steps
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Mandarin tones test measure?
It checks how accurately you identify the 4 Mandarin tones across 12 listening questions. The result describes this test only, not your overall proficiency.
Should I practice tones before Pinyin?
You can practice them together. Use this page for tone shape, then use the Pinyin quiz when similar initials and finals need more attention.
What should I do if 2nd and 3rd tone sound similar?
Replay the audio and listen for the shape: 2nd tone rises, while 3rd tone usually starts lower and dips before rising.