Tones & Jyutping
Jyutping writes Cantonese with Latin letters: an initial (consonant), a final (vowel ending) and a tone number 1–6. So si1 = s + i + tone 1. Changing only the tone changes the meaning.
pitch 5→5
Tone 1 · High level
詩 si1
“poem” — Hold a high, flat pitch — like singing a sustained note.
pitch 3→5
Tone 2 · High rising
史 si2
“history” — Start mid and glide up, like asking “huh?”
pitch 3→3
Tone 3 · Mid level
試 si3
“to try” — Your natural speaking pitch, flat and relaxed.
pitch 2→1
Tone 4 · Low falling
時 si4
“time” — Start low and sink lower, like a sigh.
pitch 1→3
Tone 5 · Low rising
市 si5
“market” — Start low and rise gently to mid.
pitch 2→2
Tone 6 · Low level
事 si6
“matter” — Low and flat, slightly below your normal pitch.
Tone Trainer
Listen and guess the tone. Build your streak!
Tone Pairs
Real words usually have two syllables. Practise hearing and saying two tones side by side.
Tone 1 + 2
香港
hoeng1 gong2Hong Kong
Tone 1 + 1
今天
gam1 tin1today
Tone 1 + 4
開門
hoi1 mun4open the door
Tone 2 + 6
好耐
hou2 noi6a long time
Tone 3 + 2
細佬
sai3 lou2younger brother
Tone 4 + 4
銀行
ngan4 hong4bank
Tone 5 + 2
老鼠
lou5 syu2mouse
Tone 6 + 6
練習
lin6 zaap6practise
Tone 6 + 1
大家
daai6 gaa1everyone
Jyutping Soundboard
Tap any initial or final to hear it in an example word.