調 (diào) - To adjust, regulate, harmonize & to investigate

調Tone 4

diào ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

調 · diào

To adjust, regulate, harmonize;

to investigate;

to transfer;

tone, melody;

used in words related to adjustment, investigation, and musical tones.

To adjust, regulate, harmonizeto investigateto transfer

Usage highlights

AdjustInvestigateTransferTune/MelodyHarmonizeAllocate

Synonyms

  • 整— to arrange, to put in order
  • 和— to harmonize, to blend
  • 查— to investigate, to check

Antonyms

  • 亂— chaotic, disordered
  • 爭— to dispute, to conflict

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please adjust the temperature (調節温度).
  • He was transferred to a new department (調到新部門).
  • This melody has a beautiful tone (這個調子很美).
  • We need to investigate this matter (調查這件事).

Collocations

  • Adjust(調節)
  • Investigate(調查)
  • Transfer(調動)
  • Tune/Melody(調子)
  • Harmonize(調和)
  • Allocate(調配)

Idioms

  • Fine-sounding words, insincere talk(油腔滑調)
  • Sing a different tune(唱反調)
  • Old tune replayed(老調重彈)
  • Adjust measures to local conditions(調劑餘缺)
  • In perfect harmony(琴瑟調和)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally related to musical harmony and pitch regulation in ancient China.
  • Extended meaning to investigation and adjustment reflects the concept of bringing things into proper balance.
  • In linguistics, refers to the tones of Chinese languages (聲調).

FAQ