Japanese word

口調

Pronunciation

Romajikuchō

Meaning

  • nountone of voice

Example

母の口調はやさしいです。haha no ku chō wa ya sa shi i de su

My mother's tone of voice is gentle.

Illustration for 口調 (tone of voice)

More examples

電話では、相手の口調から気持ちが伝わりました。den wa de wa ai te no ku chō ka ra ki mo chi ga tsuta wa ri ma shi ta

On the phone, I could understand the other person's feelings from their tone of voice.

Core concept

Describes the audible manner in which a person expresses words, including the voice's tone and the feel of the phrasing.

Common phrases

  • くだけた口調ku da ke ta ku chō

    casual tone of voice

  • 穏やかな口調oda ya ka na ku chō

    gentle tone of voice

  • 口調を変えるku chō o ka e ru

    change one's tone of voice

Similar words

話し方hanashikata: The way a person uses words, voice, and rhythm when speaking.
口ぶりkuchiburi: The manner of speaking that reveals a speaker's attitude or feeling.
語調gochō: The tone expressed through the choice and delivery of words.
言い方iikata: The particular way an idea or message is expressed in words.

Definition in Japanese

話すときに表れる声の調子や言葉の運び方。hana su to ki ni arawa re ru koe no chō shi ya koto ba no hako bi kata

Word origin

口調 (kuchō) is a Japanese compound of 口 (kuchi, "mouth") and 調 (chō, "tone" or "tune"), linking the mouth with the tone of speech.

Usage tips

  • A speaker can keep the same words but change the 口調 (kuchō) to sound gentle, angry, formal, or casual.

Other meanings

  • manner of speakingnoun

Word lists with this word