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
調停
choutei
arbitration, conciliation, mediation
N1
調理
chouri
cooking
N1
調和
chouwa
harmony
N1
失調
shicchou
lack of harmony, imbalance
N1
不調
fuchou
bad condition, disorder, slump
N1
分子
bunshi
numerator, molecule
N1
利子
rishi
interest (bank)
N2
子孫
shison
descendant, offspring
N2
障子
shouji
paper sliding door
Kanji