Hello (two rising tones: low rising, then high rising)
Grammar
The six tones
How Cantonese uses pitch to change a word's meaning
0words
20XP
3–4min
Grammar
The six tones
Cantonese is a **tonal** language. The same sound said at a different **pitch** is a different word. There are **six tones**, and your romanization marks each one: jyutping with a number, yale with a mark above the vowel.
One sound, six meanings
1 sound → 6 tones → 6 words
si1 / si5詩 / 市
Every syllable can be said in six tones, and the tone is part of the word. Change only the pitch and you change the meaning. Tap each one below to hear it. The two pairs learners mix up most are tones 2 and 5 (both rise) and tones 3 and 6 (both stay level).
si1詩
Poem (tone 1, high)
si2史
History (tone 2, rising)
si5試
To try (tone 3, mid)
si4時
Time (tone 4, low falling)
si5市
Market (tone 5, low rising)
si6事
Matter (tone 6, low)
Recap
Pitch is part of the word
Six tones, one sound, six meanings. In Cantonese the **pitch** is part of the word, not optional. The pairs to keep apart are tones **2 and 5**, and tones **3 and 6**.