1.
tone of voice; tone of speech; manner of speaking
The way someone speaks in terms of their intonation, rhythm, and emotional quality. Refers to the overall feel or mood conveyed through speech.
語調を強めて言った。
He said it in a stronger tone.
優しい語調で話しかけた。
She spoke to me in a gentle tone.
上司の語調がいつもと違ったので、何か問題があるのかと心配になった。
My boss's tone of voice was different from usual, so I worried that something might be wrong.
USAGE:
Often modified by adjectives describing the quality of speech: 強い語調 (strong tone), 穏やかな語調 (calm tone), 厳しい語調 (severe tone).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 語調を強める (to intensify one's tone)
- 語調を和らげる (to soften one's tone)
- 厳しい語調 (a stern tone)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 口調: tone, way of speaking — very similar but focuses more on habitual speech patterns, while 語調 focuses on the quality of specific utterances