Since each language has their own features in the stress accent, we can’t just summarize the functions of the stress accent in detail, but cal only explained in general. First of all, the stress accent in Chinese language has the function of distinguishing the adjectives in written form. For example, the word instinct in English can be two different words with different meanings, the first of which is 本能while the other is 充满. If it is the former one, the stress should be in the first syllable. However, if it is 充满, the stress should be in the second syllable.

Discount is also a typical example which carries the meaning of 打折used as both noun and verb. However, the stresses of this word are different when it functions as different parts of speech. The second function of the stress accent that the students should know after they learn in intensive Mandarin course in China is to mark the relatively large sound segment.

For instance, in the sentence在全社会进一步形成关心劳模、尊重劳模、学习劳模的良好氛围, which is a long sentence with broadcast style, if there are no the regular stresses 全、进、关、尊、学、良, the whole sentence will hear scattering and misunderstanding. Even though the stress falls in the single syllable, it has the function of controlling the content of the sentence in a larger scope.

The last but not least function that the teachers in Mandarin language courses in China will tell you is to focus on and emphasize the chosen information or meaning. Let’s take 张三吃蒜as an example, which may have different meanings when the stress falls in different places. Generally speaking, if there is no special emphasis, the stress is at eth end of the sentence. As a result, the meaning of this sentence should be 张三这个人有吃蒜的习惯, but not others like 喝咖啡.

When the stress falls in 吃, the emphasis is 吃, but not 不吃. You can even add a sentence like 谁说他不吃蒜了after it. In the same way, the meanings are different when the stress falls in 三and张.