jyu5 diu6語調语调
Jyutpingjyu5 diu6
Yaleyúh diuh
Definition
Intonation; the variation of pitch when speaking, reflecting sentence type and speaker emotion.
neutralcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the rise and fall of pitch in speech rather than just the volume or speed. It is frequently used when analyzing someone's underlying mood or hidden intentions behind their words. While it is a standard noun, it often appears in contexts where a speaker is being accused of sounding insincere or sarcastic.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Your intonation sounds like you are very unhappy.
Related words
Common phrases
flat intonation
sarcastic or weird intonation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 語氣, which refers more to the tone of voice or attitude conveyed by the choice of words. While 語調 is about the physical sound patterns, 語氣 is about the emotional stance or politeness level.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
