si1 si2 si3 si4 si5 si6 sik1 sek3 sik6詩史試時市事色錫食诗史试时市事色锡食
Jyutpingsi1 si2 si3 si4 si5 si6 sik1 sek3 sik6
Yalesī sí si sìh síh sih sīk sek sihk
Definition
A mnemonic phrase used to memorize and demonstrate the nine tones of Cantonese.
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How it's used
This specific sequence of characters is a mnemonic device designed to represent the nine distinct tones of Cantonese. Each character corresponds to one of the tone categories, starting from the high level tone down to the checked tones. It is widely used by students and linguists to practice pitch contours and tone sandhi.
Examples
Do you know how to recite the phrase for the nine tones?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often struggle to distinguish between the tones of 錫 and 食, as they are both checked tones that require a short, abrupt ending. Relying solely on this phrase is not enough to master natural speech, as tone sandhi in connected speech often alters the base tones.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
