FlowTone Blog

6 articles — guides, science, and honest comparisons for Mandarin tone learners.

The 5 Most Confused Chinese Tone Pairs — Data-Driven Analysis

July 7, 2026 · 8 min read

Data-driven analysis of the 5 tone pairs that English speakers confuse most often. Learn which specific combinations cause the most errors and how to fix each one.

Tone Sandhi Explained: Why 你好 Isn't Pronounced nǐ hǎo

July 6, 2026 · 7 min read

Complete guide to Mandarin tone sandhi: 3rd tone changes, 不 and 一 rules, half 3rd tone — with clear examples for every rule.

Why Chinese Tones Are Hard for English Speakers — The Science

July 5, 2026 · 8 min read

The neuroscience behind why English speakers struggle with Mandarin tones. fMRI evidence, synaptic pruning, and cross-modal learning — backed by research.

HSK Levels Explained (1-9) — Complete 2026 Guide

July 4, 2026 · 6 min read

Everything about the new HSK 1-9 system: vocabulary counts, what each level tests, and which level to aim for.

What Are the 4 Mandarin Tones? A Complete Visual Guide

July 3, 2026 · 8 min read

Visual guide to all 4 Mandarin tones with pitch contours, color codes, and tone sandhi rules.

Best Apps to Learn Chinese Tones (2026) — Honest Comparison

July 2, 2026 · 7 min read

Hands-on comparison of Ka, Pleco, TonePerfect, FlowTone, and Tone Master. Recommended stack for every level.