🀄 Day 1 — The Four Tones
Phase: Phase 1 | Milestone: Foundation — Sound & Script
⏱️ Today’s Session (1 Hour)
| Block | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Review | 0:00–0:15 | Anki / Pleco SRS flashcards |
| New Content | 0:15–0:45 | Today’s lesson + exercises |
| Listening | 0:45–0:55 | Audio immersion / shadowing |
| Output | 0:55–1:00 | Speak or write original Chinese |
📖 Review (15 min)
None — first day. Set up all tools:
- Install Pleco, HelloChinese, Anki on phone + computer
- Download Anki decks: “SpoonFed Chinese”, “HSK 1–4”, “Chinese Radicals”
- Subscribe to YouTube: Yoyo Chinese, Mandarin Corner, Shuoshuo Chinese
🆕 New Content (30 min)
🎥 Watch First
Yoyo Chinese — Learn Chinese Tones (Lesson 1) (~6 min)
The 5 Tones
| Tone | Symbol | Pitch | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | ¯ | High, flat | mā | mother |
| 2nd | ˊ | Rising | má | hemp |
| 3rd | ˇ | Low dip then rise | mǎ | horse |
| 4th | ˋ | Sharp fall | mà | scold |
| Neutral | (none) | Light, quick | ma | (question particle) |
✏️ Exercises
- Tone Drill 1: Say “mā má mǎ mà” slowly 20×. Put your hand under your chin — feel the pitch change.
- Tone Drill 2: Whisper the tones (pitch but no voice). Can you still feel them?
- Tone Drill 3: Use Pleco — play audio for mā, má, mǎ, mà. Close your eyes. Identify each. Do 30 reps.
- Ear Training: Go to Yoyo Chinese Pinyin Chart — play random tones. Identify them. 50 reps.
🎧 Listening (10 min)
🎥 Watch: Yoyo Chinese — Pinyin Lesson 2: Initials (just WATCH, don’t study — expose your ears)
🗣️ Output (5 min)
📱 Record yourself saying “mā má mǎ mà” on your phone. Save as “Day 1 — Baseline.” You’ll revisit this on Days 30, 180, and 365.
Day 1 Checklist0/5