1.
intonation, inflection, modulation
The rise and fall of pitch in speech or music. Refers to the natural variation in tone that makes speech or performance expressive and engaging.
抑揚をつけて話す。
To speak with intonation.
彼の話し方は抑揚がなくて眠くなる。
His way of speaking has no inflection and makes you sleepy.
朗読する時は抑揚を意識すると、聞き手に伝わりやすくなる。
When reading aloud, being conscious of your intonation makes it easier for the listener to follow.
抑揚 literally means "suppression and raising" — the lowering and raising of pitch. It is commonly discussed in the context of public speaking, language learning, and music.
ETYMOLOGY: 抑 (to suppress, lower) + 揚 (to raise, lift).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 抑揚をつける: to add inflection, to modulate one's voice
- 抑揚がない: monotone, flat (lacking variation in pitch)
- 抑揚のある話し方: an expressive way of speaking
- 抑揚に富む: rich in modulation
NOTE: Japanese is often described by linguists as having less dramatic 抑揚 than languages like English or Italian. Learners are sometimes told their Japanese sounds unnatural because they carry over the strong intonation patterns of their native language.