Chinese characters have 4 tones, different tone represents different word and meaning.
Symbol of 4 tones:1, ˉ 2. ′ 3. ˇ 4.ˋ and soft tone (only used by few words)
Combination example:
(click the link to listen the pronunciation)
b + ā = Bā八（eight)
b + á = Bá 拔（pull, extract)
b + ǎ = Bǎ 把 （handle)
b + à = Bà 爸 （dad)
Soft tone example:
d + e = De 的 (of)
l + e = Le 了 (past tense maker)
There are lots of homophones in Chinese. For example:
Bā can be : 八、扒、芭、叭、疤…… each one has different meaning.