jam1 diu6音調音调
Jyutpingjam1 diu6
Yaleyām diuh
Definition
Pitch; the perceived highness or lowness of a sound.
neutralother
How it's used
音調 refers specifically to the pitch or frequency of a sound, rather than the emotional tone of a person's voice. While it is used in musical contexts, it is also common when discussing the technical quality of audio or the specific frequency of a noise. It is distinct from 語氣, which refers to the emotional tone or attitude conveyed through speech.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The pitch of this song is too high, I cannot sing it.
Do you find this tone comfortable to listen to?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 音調 with 語氣. Use 音調 when talking about high or low frequency sounds, but use 語氣 when describing whether someone sounds angry, happy, or sarcastic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
