低
调

About

The word 低调 (dīdiào) is formed through a vivid conceptual metaphor. It literally means "low pitch", as in a low musical or vocal tone. This concrete sensory idea is then applied to human behavior and attitude: just as a low-pitch sound is soft, unobtrusive, and doesn't draw attention, a person described as 低调 is humble, modest, and avoids flashiness or self-promotion, consciously keeping their profile and actions subdued and unassuming.

Example Sentences Hide

他做人很低调。

Tā zuòrén hěn dīdiào.

He is very low-key in how he conducts himself.

她总是保持低调的风格。

Tā zǒngshì bǎochí dīdiào de fēnggé.

She always maintains a low-key style.

尽管他很成功，但他依然很低调。

Jǐnguǎn tā hěn chénggōng, dàn tā yīrán hěn dīdiào.

Even though he is very successful, he remains very low-key.

在公共场合，他选择低调地处理这件事。

Zài gōnggòng chǎnghé, tā xuǎnzé dīdiào de chǔlǐ zhè jiàn shì.

In public, he chose to handle this matter in a low-key manner.

为了不引起不必要的注意，他们决定低调举行婚礼。

Wèile bù yǐnqǐ bù bìyào de zhùyì, tāmen juédìng dīdiào jǔxíng hūnlǐ.

In order to avoid unnecessary attention, they decided to hold the wedding in a low-key manner.

Word Definition - 低调

dī diào low pitch; quiet (voice); subdued; low-key; low-profile

Individual Character Details

低 dī
调 diào, tiáo