调

調

diào, tiáo

周 + 讠

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

tiáo (verb) to adjust; to regulate; to harmonize

diào (noun) tone; key (in music); melody

diào (verb) to transfer; to move; to investigate

Etymology

Simplified form of 調. Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 周 represents the sound.

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 周

About

The traditional form 調 combines 言 'speech, words' on the left as the meaning component and 周 as the sound component. In the simplified character 调, 言 is abbreviated to 讠. This character has two readings: tiáo and diào. As tiáo, it means to adjust, regulate, or mediate, often in contexts of bringing things into harmony, pacifying disputes, or mixing ingredients. As diào, it means a melody, tune, or accent, or the act of transferring or moving personnel and resources.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

空调的温度太低了。

Kōngtiáo de wēndù tài dī le.

The air conditioner's temperature is too low.

我们需要调整一下计划。

Wǒmen xūyào tiáozhěng yīxià jìhuà.

We need to adjust the plan.

他唱歌总是跑调。

Tā chànggē zǒngshì pǎodiào.

He always sings off-key.

公司正在调查这件事。

Gōngsī zhèngzài diàochá zhè jiàn shì.

The company is investigating this matter.

老师强调了考试的重要性。

Lǎoshī qiángdiàole kǎoshì de zhòngyào xìng.

The teacher emphasized the importance of the exam.

这家餐厅的格调很高雅。

Zhè jiā cāntīng de gédiào hěn gāoyǎ.

This restaurant has a very elegant style.

两国同意通过谈判来调停争端。

Liǎng guó tóngyì tōngguò tánpàn lái tiáotíng zhēngduān.

The two countries agreed to mediate the dispute through negotiations.

他巧妙地调用了多种修辞手法。

Tā qiǎomiào de diàoyòngle duō zhǒng xiūcí shǒufǎ.

He skillfully employed a variety of rhetorical devices.

Related Characters

Component: 周

Component: 讠

调