General Rule:
* The tone mark is placed above the vowel of the syllable.
Specific Rules for Different Combinations:
* Single Vowel: The tone mark is placed above the vowel.
* Example: mā, pá, tī, dù
* Diphthong (Two Vowels): The tone mark is placed above the second vowel.
* Example: āi, āo, ēi, ōu
* Combination of Vowel and "u" or "i": The tone mark is placed above the vowel.
* Example: bù, lù, zhī, chí
* "ui" & "iu": The tone mark is placed above the second vowel.
* Example: kuì, jiū
Exceptions:
* "a" after "r" or "n": The tone mark is placed above the "a".
* Example: rǎn, nán
* "i" after "n" or "l" with tone marks: The tone mark is placed above the "i".
* Example: nǐ, lǐ
Other Points to Note:
* Tone marks are not placed above "ü".
* Tone marks are not placed on consonants.
* Neutral Tone (轻声): No tone mark is used for the neutral tone.
Example:
* mā (first tone)
* pái (second tone)
* tǐ (third tone)
* dù (fourth tone)
* āi (first tone)
* bù (fourth tone)
* zhī (first tone)
* kuì (fourth tone)
Understanding these rules will help you accurately pronounce and write Chinese Pinyin.