四し声せい

noun

four tones (of Chinese)

Refers to the four tonal categories of Middle Chinese: 平声 (level), 上声 (rising), 去声 (departing), and 入声 (entering). In modern Mandarin, these evolved into the four tones (plus neutral tone).

• 中ちゅう国ごく語ごの四し声せいをマスターするのは難むずかしい。

  Mastering the four tones of Chinese is difficult.

• 四し声せいの違ちがいで意い味みが変かわる。

  The meaning changes depending on the four tones.