Lessons by Laoshi Xan #2

Here is our next installment of Lessons by Laoshi Xan.  She will introduce you to the fine art of tones used here in the Chinese language.  When the words are written using Pinyin (versus characters) there are markings placed over sounds that dictate not only the way you pronouce the word but also the meaning.
Tone is a very important and difficult aspect of learning Chinese.  Many characters have the same spelling in Pinyin but have different tones, therefore different meanings.  There are four tones and one neutral tone in Chinese.

Here is an example of how one word can have different meanings depending on which tone is used.  

Chat with ya later-