Meaning
调 is a versatile character with two main pronunciations. As 'tiào', it means to transfer, move, or reassign (people or things). As 'diào', it means to adjust, regulate, tune, or refers to tones in music or language. The character combines the radical 言 (speech) with 周 (周), suggesting the idea of regulating or modulating speech or sound.
Usage
When pronounced 'tiào', 调 is commonly used in work contexts for job transfers or reassignments. When pronounced 'diào', it appears frequently in contexts involving adjustment, tuning instruments, mixing ingredients, or discussing musical tones. The pronunciation depends entirely on meaning and context.
Examples
- 01他被调到北京工作了。.He was transferred to Beijing for work.
- 02请把音量调小一点。.Please turn down the volume a bit.
Common collocations
- 调走to transfer away
- 调到to transfer to
- 调节to regulate, to adjust
- 强调to emphasize, to stress
Origin
The character consists of 言 (speech/words) and 周 (周, meaning complete or周). The combination originally suggested the idea of regulating or modulating speech, which extended to meanings of adjustment and musical tones.