Five tones, one syllable

High and level — hold the pitch like a sung note.

Start high and stay there. Do not dip or fall. Think of calling someone across a quiet room, steadily.

Rising — like the end of an English question: “Wait, má?”

Start mid and lift. English “huh?” or “what?” has the same rise.

Low dip, then a light rise. In running speech the rise is often cut short.

Drop your voice into the basement, then come up a little. If it feels like a small groan, you are close.

Sharp fall — like a firm English “No.”

Start high and cut down fast. It should feel decisive, not angry — just finished.

Short and light. No contour of its own — it rides the word before it.

Keep it unstressed. If you give 吗 a full tone, the question sounds stiff.