口調(くちょう)

くちょう
noun
tone of voice
1. tone of voice
The way someone speaks, including their tone, manner, and style of expression. Reflects the speaker's attitude, emotion, or personality.
優(やさ)しい口調(くちょう)で話(はな)す。
To speak in a gentle tone.
彼(かれ)の口調(くちょう)が急(きゅう)に変(か)わった。
His tone of voice suddenly changed.
上司(じょうし)は穏(おだ)やかな口調(くちょう)だったが、内容(ないよう)は厳(きび)しい指摘(してき)だった。
The boss spoke in a calm tone, but the content was a harsh criticism.

Often modified by adjectives describing the quality of the speech. Different from 声(こえ) (voice), which refers to the sound itself, and 話(はな)し方(かた) (way of speaking), which is broader and includes content and structure.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 優(やさ)しい口調(くちょう): gentle tone
  • 厳(きび)しい口調(くちょう): harsh tone
  • 穏(おだ)やかな口調(くちょう): calm tone
  • 口調(くちょう)を変(か)える: to change one's tone
  • 命令(めいれい)口調(くちょう): commanding tone
general
Added 2026.2.18 15:08
11500/11803_kuchou