If you’ve studied Mandarin, you’ve seen this mark — a small check-shaped symbol that sits over a vowel like a shallow V: ǎ. It’s called a caron (also known as a háček, from Czech), and in Pinyin it does one very specific job: it marks the third tone, the falling-rising pitch that gives Mandarin its distinctive dip-and-rise sound.
This guide covers what the caron means, how to type ǎ (and the other third-tone vowels) on Windows, Mac, and mobile, and where else you’ll encounter this mark outside of Chinese.
What Does the Caron Actually Mean?
In Mandarin Pinyin, the caron marks third tone — the pitch that starts mid, dips low, then rises again. It’s the “question-like” dip you hear in words like nǐ (你, “you”) or hǎo (好, “good”) — put them together and nǐ hǎo (hello) is a textbook third-tone-plus-third-tone pair, which is also why Mandarin has a special pronunciation rule for consecutive third tones (the first one shifts to sound like second tone — but that’s a topic for a Pinyin course, not a typing guide).
Pinyin uses the caron across the same five vowels as the macron, giving you the full third-tone set: ǎ ě ǐ ǒ ǔ.
Outside Chinese, the caron shows up in an entirely different context: Central and Eastern European languages. Czech, Slovak, Croatian, and Slovenian all use it to soften consonants — č sounds like “ch,” š like “sh,” ž like the “s” in “measure.” This is the same mark, doing a completely different job. (If you’re after the consonant version — č š ž — our Diacritical Marks guide covers those.)
How to Type Ǎ on Windows
Microsoft Word Alt+X:
| Character | Word shortcut |
|---|---|
| ǎ (lowercase) | Type 01CE, then press Alt+X |
| Ǎ (uppercase) | Type 01CD, then press Alt+X |
Type the hexadecimal Unicode value in desktop Word, then press Alt+X. This does not require Num Lock or a numeric keypad. If the code comes immediately after another hexadecimal character, select the code before pressing Alt+X. In other Windows applications, use Character Map, copy and paste, or a saved text replacement.
Word/Google Docs AutoCorrect:
Same approach as the macron — set up a text replacement (e.g., ;a3 → ǎ, using “3” for third tone) in AutoCorrect or Substitutions. If you type Pinyin regularly, this beats hunting for Alt codes every time.
For regular Pinyin use:
Windows’ Microsoft Pinyin IME is primarily for converting phonetic input into Chinese characters; it does not generally turn numbered syllables into tone-marked Latin text. For Latin Pinyin with tone marks, use Word Alt+X, AutoCorrect, Character Map, or a verified Pinyin tone-mark layout or tool.
How to Type Ǎ on Mac
Press and hold:
- Hold down the A key
- In the popup, look for ǎ among the accent options
- Press its number, or click it
Note: the caron may or may not appear in the press-and-hold popup depending on your macOS version and language settings — it’s less universally included than acute or grave accents.
Character Viewer (most reliable on Mac):
Press Control + Command + Space, search “a caron” or “a with caron,” and double-click to insert. This is your most dependable Mac method for this particular mark.
Pinyin input method:
Like Windows, macOS has a built-in Chinese – Pinyin input source (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources). For anyone typing Pinyin regularly, this is dramatically faster than hunting for individual tone marks.
How to Type Ǎ on Mobile
iPhone and Android (press and hold):
- Hold down the a key
- Slide through the popup options to find ǎ
As with Mac, availability can vary by keyboard and language settings. If it’s not in the popup, switching your keyboard to include Pinyin input (both iOS and Android support this natively) is the more reliable long-term fix if you type Pinyin often.
The Full Third-Tone Set
Since ǎ rarely appears alone in real Pinyin typing, here’s the complete set for reference:
| Vowel | Third tone (caron) |
|---|---|
| a | ǎ |
| e | ě |
| i | ǐ |
| o | ǒ |
| u | ǔ |
Why a Pinyin Input Method Beats Typing Tone Marks by Hand
If you’re a casual learner typing the occasional word, Word Alt+X, Character Map, copy and paste, or press-and-hold on supported devices will get you by. But if you’re studying Mandarin seriously, typing tone marks character by character is genuinely the slow way to do this.
Chinese Pinyin input methods on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android are primarily designed to convert phonetic input into Chinese characters. They should not be confused with tools that produce tone-marked Latin Pinyin such as nǐ hǎo. For that, use a verified tone-mark input layout or tool, or save replacements for frequently used syllables. On Mac, the ABC – Extended input source also supports diacritics and Pinyin tone marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the caron the same as a v-shape or checkmark?
Visually, yes — it looks like a small checkmark or shallow V sitting on top of the vowel. “Caron” and “háček” are the formal names; “check mark accent” is a common informal description.
How is this different from the macron (ā)?
Different tones entirely. The macron (straight line, ā) marks first tone — flat and level. The caron (ǎ) marks third tone — dipping down then rising. Confusing the two changes the word’s meaning in Mandarin, similar to confusing any two of Spanish’s stress patterns.
Does the caron ever combine with other tone marks?
No — Pinyin marks exactly one tone per syllable, so a vowel gets one diacritic (macron, acute, caron, or grave) or none at all for neutral tone.
Is there a faster way if I’m serious about learning Pinyin?
Yes — use a verified input method specifically designed for tone-marked Latin Pinyin. Standard Chinese Pinyin IMEs are mainly for entering Chinese characters, so confirm that a layout or tool produces Latin vowels with tone marks before relying on it.
The Bottom Line
The caron is a small mark carrying real linguistic weight — in Pinyin it’s the difference between a flat tone and a dipping one, and getting it right matters as much as getting the letters right. For occasional use, Character Viewer on Mac and Windows tools such as Word Alt+X, Character Map, and text replacement will serve you well. For anyone learning Mandarin in earnest, a verified input method for tone-marked Latin Pinyin is worth setting up once and using regularly.