How common it is
调 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say tiáo/diào slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
调可以表示调整，也可以表示口音或曲调。
tiáo kě yǐ biǎo shì tiáo zhěng， yě kě yǐ biǎo shì kǒu yīn huò qǔ diào。
调 can mean to adjust, or a tone/melody.
Context note
调常用于声音、设置和表达。
tiáo cháng yòng yú shēng yīn 、 shè zhì hé biǎo dá。
It is often used with sound, settings, and expression.
5 examples
请把声音调大。
qǐng bǎ shēng yīn diào dà。
Please turn up the volume.
他在调灯光。
tā zài tiáo dēng guāng。
He is adjusting the lights.
这首歌的调很高。
zhè shǒu gē de tiáo hěn gāo。
The key of this song is very high.
先调一调再说。
xiān tiáo yi tiáo zài shuō。
Adjust it first and then talk.
老师调了座位。
lǎo shī tiáo le zuò wèi。
The teacher adjusted the seats.
5 mini stories
他把收音机调小了。
tā bǎ shōu yīn jī tiáo xiǎo le。
He turned the radio down.
老师调了一下黑板的位置。
lǎo shī tiáo le yí xià hēi bǎn de wèi zhì。
The teacher adjusted the blackboard's position.
孩子学着调音乐。
hái zi xué zhe tiáo yīn yuè。
The child learned to tune the music.
天气一冷，他把空调调高了。
tiān qì yì lěng， tā bǎ kōng diào diao gāo le。
When it got cold, he adjusted the air conditioner higher.
她喜欢调试新的设备。
tā xǐ huan tiáo shì xīn de shè bèi。
She likes adjusting new devices.