Japanese word

調子

Pronunciation

Romajichōshi

Meaning

  • nouncondition

Example

今日は調子がいいです。kyō wa chō shi ga i i de su

I am in good shape today.

Illustration for 調子 (condition)

More examples

昨日は調子を崩して、まだ元気がありません。kinō wa chō shi o kuzu shi te ma da gen ki ga a ri ma se n

I fell ill yesterday and still do not feel well.

Core concept

Centers on the current state or quality of a person, thing, or activity, especially how well it is functioning or proceeding.

Common phrases

  • 調子がいいchō shi ga i i

    be in good shape

  • 調子が悪いchō shi ga waru i

    be in poor shape

  • 調子を崩すchō shi o kuzu su

    fall ill

Similar words

具合guai: The condition of a person or thing, often as noticed through how it feels or works.
状態jōtai: The condition or state of a person, thing, or activity at a particular time.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事の現在の状態や具合。hito ya mono goto no gen zai no jō tai ya gu ai

Word origin

調子 (chōshi) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 調 (chō, "tone or adjustment") and 子 (shi, a word-forming element), whose sense extends from musical tone to general condition.

Usage tips

  • Beyond physical health, 調子 (chōshi) can describe the tone of a conversation or the rhythm of music, so its meaning depends on what is being judged.

Other meanings

  • tonenoun
  • rhythmnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word