Chinese is a tonal language. There are four basic tones in putonghua as shown by the following tone marks.

汉语是有声调的语言。普通话语音有四个基本声调，可分别用符号表示如下。

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All the sun really does is provide a camouflage that blends your skin tone with acne marks.

阳光能做到的只是将你的皮肤和痤疮印颜色调和的伪装而已。

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This marks a softening of Hamas's tone towards its rivals, whom they have often vilified for talking to Israel.

这标志着哈马斯对竞争对手的态度变软。因竞争对手与以色列对话，哈马萨对其横加挞伐。

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Asterisks and exclamation marks were used to tone down offensive language in the brochure and online.

BBC: Stuart Goldsmith wins Cunning Stunt award

Mr Hutchinson argues this is in response to republican pressure, but it certainly marks a shift in tone to the conciliatory role played by the likes of the late David Ervine and Dawn Purvis (whose support for Naomi Long proved crucial during the last Westminster election).

BBC: Why has so much heat been generated now over flags?

This marks a softening of Hamas's tone towards its rivals, whom they have often vilified for talking to Israel.

ECONOMIST: Hamas and the peace talks