Japanese word

トーン

Pronunciation

Romajitōn

Meaning

  • nountone

Example

先生は落ち着いたトーンで話します。sen sei wa o chi tsu i ta tō n de hana shi ma su

The teacher speaks in a calm tone.

Illustration for トーン (tone)

More examples

メール全体を親しみやすいトーンに整えます。mē ru zen tai o shita shi mi ya su i tō n ni totono e ma su

I will adjust the entire email to a friendly tone.

Core concept

Refers to the emotional character that accompanies spoken or written expression and shapes how it is received.

Common phrases

  • 落ち着いたトーンo chi tsu i ta tō n

    calm tone

  • トーンを落とすtō n o o to su

    lower one's tone

  • トーンを上げるtō n o a ge ru

    raise one's tone

Similar words

語調gochō: The way spoken or written words convey a particular feeling or attitude.
口調kuchō: The characteristic manner and feeling conveyed in speech.
調子chōshi: The particular character or feeling conveyed through words or speech.
論調ronchō: The distinctive attitude expressed in a discussion, argument, or written opinion.

Definition in Japanese

言葉の表し方や声の調子に伴って伝わる、感情や態度の特徴。koto ba no arawa shi kata ya koe no chō shi ni tomona tte tsuta wa ru kan jō ya tai do no toku chō

Word origin

トーン (tōn, "tone") comes from English tone, a word related through French and Latin to Greek tonos, "stretch," which developed into a sense of pitch or quality.

Usage tips

  • English speakers also use tone for writing, so an email can have a formal, warm, or demanding tone even though it has no spoken voice.

Word lists with this word