Word
調子
Meaning in Englishcondition, rhythm, tone, state
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
調子 refers to the current condition or performance level of something or someone, including physical health, the functioning of a device, or one's manner or mood; it can also mean the musical tune or rhythm being played.
Main meanings
- Condition or state of health or functioning of a person or object
- Musical tune, melody, or rhythm
- State of mind, level of performance, or how well something is working
- Idiomatic uses to describe being in good form or getting carried away (e.g., 調子に乗る)
How to use it
Used across casual conversation and formal writing. In everyday talk it describes health, energy, or performance; with machines or devices it denotes their operating condition; in music it refers to tune or tempo; common expressions describe mood or behavior shifts, and idioms convey various attitudes.
Variants and close terms
- 具合 (guai) — condition/health
- 様子 (yōsu) — appearance/state
- 調子がいい/悪い (chōshi ga ii/warui) — in good/bad shape
Composition
- 調: to adjust, to tune, to regulate; tone and harmony
- 子: often a phonetic or suffix component; in combination forms a noun indicating a state or condition related to the base meaning
Word class
noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
好調
kouchou
satisfactory, in good shape
N1
原子
genshi
atom
N1
同調
douchou
sympathy, agree with, alignment
N1
取り調べる
torishiraberu
to investigate, to examine
N1
子息
shisoku
(hon.) son
N1
下調べ
shitashirabe
preliminary investigation
N1
調べ
shirabe
investigation, inspection
N1
単調
tanchou
monotony, monotone, dullness
N1
調印
chouin
signature, sign, sealing
Kanji