A2 noun #1,500 am häufigsten 5 Min. Lesezeit

調子

It means the musical key or tune, or how something is generally doing.

choushi

Explanation at your level:

Hello! Today we learn 調子 (chōshi). It's like a song's tune! Or, it's how you feel. Are you feeling good? Your 調子 is good! Are you feeling tired? Your 調子 is not good. We use it for music and for how people or things are doing. Like, 'How is your 調子?' is '調子はどう?' (Chōshi wa dō?). It's a simple word for how things are going!

調子 (chōshi) is a useful Japanese noun. It can mean the 'key' or 'tune' of a song. For example, 'This song's 調子 is nice.' It also means the 'condition' or 'state' of something. You can ask about a person's health: 'How is your 調子?' (調子はどう? - Chōshi wa dō?). Or you can talk about a machine: 'My bike's 調子 is bad.' (自転車の調子が悪い - Jitensha no chōshi ga warui). So, it's about how things are 'tuned' or 'working'.

The Japanese word 調子 (chōshi) has two main meanings: the musical key/tune and the general condition/state. In music, it refers to the specific pitch or melody. More commonly, it's used to describe how someone or something is doing. You might ask a friend, '調子はどう?' (Chōshi wa dō? - How are you doing?), which covers their general well-being or mood. You can also talk about the condition of objects, like 'The printer's 調子 is off' (プリンターの調子がおかしい - Purintā no chōshi ga okashii). It's important to note the context to understand which meaning is intended.

調子 (chōshi) is a nuanced term in Japanese, translating to 'musical key/tune' or 'condition/state/mood.' Its application extends beyond simple descriptions. In music, it refers to the specific mode or key. In general usage, it describes the state of health ('体調' - taichō), mood ('気分' - kibun), or the operational status of equipment. For instance, '彼の調子はいつもと違う' (Kare no chōshi wa itsumo to chigau) implies his usual demeanor or condition is different. Understanding the collocations, such as '調子に乗る' (chōshi ni noru - to get carried away), is crucial for grasping its idiomatic usage and the subtle implications of things being 'in tune' or 'out of tune' metaphorically.

The Japanese word 調子 (chōshi) offers a rich semantic field, encompassing 'musical key/tune' and 'condition/state/mood.' Its versatility allows for application across abstract and concrete domains. Musically, it denotes the specific tonal center or mode. Metaphorically, it signifies the rhythm, flow, or equilibrium of a situation, person, or object. For example, discussing the '調子' of a negotiation implies its progress and current state. Recognizing its use in idiomatic phrases like '調子を崩す' (chōshi o kuzusu - to fall ill or lose one's rhythm) reveals its deep integration into expressing disruptions in harmony, whether physical, mental, or situational. The word requires careful contextual analysis to discern its precise meaning, ranging from the literal to the figurative.

調子 (chōshi) is a polysemous term deeply embedded in Japanese culture, signifying 'musical key/tune' and 'condition/state/mood.' Its etymology, linking 'tone' and 'state,' reflects a philosophical underpinning where harmony and order are paramount. Beyond its literal musical application, 調子 functions as a critical indicator of equilibrium across various systems – personal health (体調 - taichō), emotional states (気分 - kibun), and mechanical functionality. The idiomatic '調子に乗る' (chōshi ni noru) exemplifies the metaphorical extension of 'tuning' to psychological states, highlighting the potential for overconfidence when one feels 'in sync' with success. Mastery of 調子 involves appreciating its subtle gradations, its role in describing both transient states and underlying qualities, and its frequent appearance in nuanced expressions that reflect a holistic view of balance and flow in the universe.

Wort in 30 Sekunden

  • A versatile Japanese noun meaning 'tune' (music) or 'condition' (general state).
  • Used widely for health, mood, machines, and music.
  • Key phrases include '調子はどう?' (How are you?) and idioms like '調子に乗る' (get carried away).
  • Context is crucial to determine the intended meaning.

Hey there! Let's dive into the awesome Japanese word 調子 (chōshi). This word is super versatile and can mean a few different things depending on the context. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife of words! Primarily, it refers to the musical key or tune of a song. If you're talking about music, saying 'この曲の調子がいい' (kono kyoku no chōshi ga ii) means 'The tune of this song is good.'

But wait, there's more! 調子 also has a broader meaning related to condition or state. It can describe how a person is feeling (physically or mentally), how a machine is running, or even the general state of affairs. For example, '最近、体の調子がいい' (saikin, karada no chōshi ga ii) means 'Lately, my body's condition has been good.' Or, 'パソコンの調子がおかしい' (pasokon no chōshi ga okashii) means 'My computer's condition is strange,' implying it's not working properly. It’s all about how things are 'tuned' or 'going'!

The word 調子 (chōshi) comes to us from Chinese characters, specifically 調 (chō), meaning 'tone,' 'key,' or 'melody,' and 子 (shi), which here acts as a suffix, often indicating a state or quality. Together, they form a concept related to the arrangement or harmony of sounds and states.

Historically, the character 調 has been used in East Asian languages for centuries to discuss music and governance, reflecting a deep connection between harmony in sound and order in society. The evolution of 調子 reflects how the concept of 'tuning' or 'arrangement' expanded from purely musical contexts to encompass the general condition or state of anything that can be perceived as having a rhythm or flow.

In Japanese, the word has been used for a long time, appearing in classical literature. Its dual meaning – musicality and general condition – highlights a cultural perspective where order, balance, and harmony are valued not just in art but in everyday life and the functioning of things. It’s fascinating how a word can carry such a rich history and broad application!

調子 (chōshi) is a workhorse word in Japanese, used in a wide variety of situations. When talking about music, you'll often hear it with words like (kyoku - song), 音楽 (ongaku - music), or 楽器 (gakki - instrument). For instance, 'このピアノは調子がいい' (kono piano wa chōshi ga ii) means 'This piano is in good condition' (musically speaking, it's well-tuned).

In everyday conversation, it's frequently paired with verbs like いい (ii - good), 悪い (warui - bad), 普通 (futsū - normal), or おかしい (okashii - strange/not right). You'll hear people say '体調がいい' (taichō ga ii - feeling well), '気分がいい' (kibun ga ii - in a good mood), or '仕事の調子はどう?' (shigoto no chōshi wa dō? - How is work going?).

The formality level can vary. While '調子はどうですか?' (Chōshi wa dō desu ka?) is a polite way to ask 'How are you?', dropping the 'desu ka' to '調子どう?' (Chōshi dō?) makes it casual, suitable for friends. Understanding the context is key to grasping the exact nuance of 調子!

調子 (chōshi) pops up in several common Japanese idioms and expressions, adding color to the language!

  • 調子に乗る (Chōshi ni noru): This means to get carried away, often by success or praise, and start acting overconfidently or recklessly. Example: 彼は褒められて調子に乗ってしまった。(Kare wa homerarete chōshi ni notte shimatta.) - He got carried away after being praised.
  • 調子を合わせる (Chōshi o awaseru): Literally 'to match the tune,' this means to go along with someone, to cooperate, or to synchronize. Example: みんなの意見に調子を合わせた。(Minna no iken ni chōshi o awaseta.) - I went along with everyone's opinions.
  • 調子が出る (Chōshi ga deru): This means to get into the groove or find one's rhythm, especially when working or performing. Example: 練習しているうちに、だんだん調子が出てきた。(Renshū shite iru uchi ni, dandan chōshi ga detekita.) - As I practiced, I gradually got into the groove.
  • 調子を崩す (Chōshi o kuzusu): The opposite of getting into the groove, this means to lose one's rhythm, condition, or mood. Example: 睡眠不足で調子を崩した。(Suimin busoku de chōshi o kuzushita.) - I lost my condition due to lack of sleep.
  • 調子っぱずれ (Chōshi-ppazure): This describes something or someone that is out of tune or out of sync, not fitting in. Example: 彼の話はいつも調子っぱずれだ。(Kare no hanashi wa itsumo chōshi-ppazure da.) - His stories are always off-key/irrelevant.

The pronunciation of 調子 (chōshi) is straightforward. The 'chō' sounds like the English word 'chore' but with a slightly longer 'o' sound. The 'shi' is pronounced like the English word 'she'. So, it's CHOH-shee. There isn't a strong stress on either syllable, making it sound quite balanced.

In terms of grammar, 調子 is a noun. It doesn't typically have a plural form in the way English nouns do; context usually clarifies if you're talking about one instance or multiple conditions. For example, you wouldn't say 'chōshis'. Instead, you might use quantifiers or rephrase.

Articles like 'a' or 'the' aren't used with Japanese nouns. When used in sentences, it often appears with particles like (ga) to mark the subject (e.g., 調子いい - chōshi ga ii) or (wa) for the topic (e.g., 体調子がいい - karada wa chōshi ga ii - As for my body, it's in good condition). It can also follow prepositions or be part of compound phrases.

Fun Fact

The character 調 originally depicted a type of musical instrument, emphasizing its connection to music.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtʃɔːʃi/

Sounds like 'CHOR-shee', with the first syllable slightly longer and the second sharp.

US /ˈtʃɔːrʃi/

Similar to UK, perhaps with a slight 'r' sound before 'sh', like 'CHOR-shee'.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing 'chō' too short.
  • Making the 'sh' sound like 's'.
  • Adding unnecessary stress to one syllable.

Rhymes With

moshi joshi koshi boshi noshi

Difficulty Rating

Lesen 2/5

Easy to read in basic contexts, requires nuance in advanced/idiomatic usage.

Writing 2/5

Easy for basic uses, challenging to master idiomatic and nuanced applications.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires careful context selection for correct meaning.

Hören 2/5

Generally easy to understand in context, but idiomatic uses might need clarification.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

いい (ii) 悪い (warui) 普通 (futsū) 音楽 (ongaku) 体 (karada) 気分 (kibun)

Learn Next

具合 (guai) 状態 (jōtai) 調和 (chōwa) 調律 (chōritsu) 体調 (taichō)

Fortgeschritten

機嫌 (kigen - mood/temper) 気配 (kehai - sign/indication) 兆候 (chōkō - sign/omen)

Grammar to Know

Using Particles with Nouns

The particle 'が' often follows '調子' when it's the subject of a sentence describing its state (e.g., 調子<strong>が</strong>いい).

Verb Conjugation: Potential Form

While not directly with '調子', understanding potential forms helps with context like '調子が出せる' (can get into the groove).

Idiomatic Expressions

Many uses of '調子' are part of fixed expressions like '調子に乗る', which need to be learned as a unit.

Examples by Level

1

今日の調子はどう?

Today's condition how?

どう (dō) means 'how'.

2

私の調子はいいです。

My condition is good.

いい (ii) means 'good'.

3

この歌の調子が好き。

This song's tune like.

好き (suki) means 'like'.

4

車の調子が悪いです。

Car's condition is bad.

悪い (warui) means 'bad'.

5

調子に乗らないで!

Condition on don't ride!

乗る (noru) means 'to ride'.

6

音楽の調子がいい。

Music's tune is good.

音楽 (ongaku) means 'music'.

7

彼の調子は普通です。

His condition is normal.

普通 (futsū) means 'normal'.

8

元気な調子で!

Energetic condition with!

元気 (genki) means 'energetic'.

1

最近、体の調子がいいです。

Recently, body's condition is good.

最近 (saikin) means 'recently'.

2

このギターの調子はどうですか?

This guitar's condition how is it?

ギター (gitā) means 'guitar'.

3

調子に乗って、たくさん食べすぎた。

Condition on riding, a lot ate too much.

たくさん (takusan) means 'a lot'.

4

彼の声の調子は少し変だ。

His voice's tune is a little strange.

声 (koe) means 'voice'.

5

仕事の調子はどう?順調?

Work's condition how? Smoothly?

順調 (junchō) means 'smoothly'.

6

彼女はいつも明るい調子だ。

She always bright condition is.

明るい (akarui) means 'bright'.

7

パソコンの調子が悪くて困っている。

Computer's condition is bad and troubled.

困っている (komatte iru) means 'to be troubled'.

8

この曲は速い調子だね。

This song fast tune is, isn't it?

速い (hayai) means 'fast'.

1

最近、寝不足で体調を崩しやすい。

Recently, lack of sleep by condition break easily.

寝不足 (nebusoku) means 'lack of sleep'.

2

その楽器は調律がしっかりしていて、良い調子だ。

That instrument tuning is firmly done, good condition is.

調律 (chōritsu) means 'tuning'.

3

彼は試合で調子に乗って、ミスを連発した。

He in match condition on riding, mistakes consecutive made.

試合 (shiai) means 'match/game'.

4

新しいプロジェクトの調子はどうですか?

New project's condition how is it?

プロジェクト (purojekuto) means 'project'.

5

彼女の声の調子が良くなったので、歌番組に出演することになった。

Her voice's condition improved so, singing program appear decided.

出演 (shutsuen) means 'appearance/performance'.

6

この音楽はゆったりとした調子でリラックスできる。

This music relaxed tune with relax can do.

ゆったり (yuttari) means 'relaxed/leisurely'.

7

調子っぱずれな発言で場をしらけさせた。

Out-of-tune remark by place made dull.

発言 (hatsugen) means 'remark/statement'.

8

エンジンの調子を点検してください。

Engine's condition please inspect.

点検 (tenken) means 'inspection'.

1

彼の最近のパフォーマンスは、以前のような鋭い調子が見られない。

His recent performance, like before sharp condition cannot be seen.

パフォーマンス (pafōmansu) means 'performance'.

2

この小説は、登場人物の心理状態の微妙な変化を巧みな調子で描いている。

This novel, characters' psychological state subtle changes skillfully tune depicts.

小説 (shōsetsu) means 'novel'.

3

経済の調子が悪いため、多くの企業が投資を控えている。

Economy's condition bad because, many companies investment are holding back.

経済 (keizai) means 'economy'.

4

調子に乗って無謀な投資をした結果、大きな損失を出してしまった。

Condition on riding reckless investment did result, big loss incurred.

無謀 (mubō) means 'reckless'.

5

長引く不調で、彼は試合への出場を断念せざるを得なかった。

Prolonged bad condition, he match to participation had no choice but to give up.

断念 (dannen) means 'to give up'.

6

彼女の話し方は、いつも落ち着いた、聞き取りやすい調子を保っている。

Her way of speaking, always calm, easy-to-understand tone maintains.

落ち着いた (ochitsuita) means 'calm'.

7

この楽曲は、静かな始まりから徐々に力強い調子へと変化していく。

This musical piece, quiet start from gradually powerful tune to changes.

楽曲 (gakkyoku) means 'musical piece'.

8

彼の作風は、独特のユーモアと皮肉の調子が混ざり合っているのが特徴だ。

His style, unique humor and irony's tune mixed is characteristic.

作風 (sakufū) means 'style of work'.

1

その政治家の演説は、聴衆を惹きつける巧みな調子で展開された。

That politician's speech, audience attract skillful tone unfolded.

演説 (enzetsu) means 'speech'.

2

長年の経験から、彼は機械の些細な不調の兆候を敏感に察知できる。

From many years' experience, he machine's minor malfunction signs sensitively detect can.

些細な (sasai na) means 'minor/trivial'.

3

彼の文章は、軽妙洒脱な調子の中に深い洞察が込められている。

His writing, lighthearted witty tone within deep insight is contained.

軽妙洒脱 (keimyō shasetsu) means 'lighthearted and witty'.

4

このオペラのアリアは、悲劇的な感情を表現するために、非常に感情的な調子で歌われる。

This opera's aria, tragic emotions express for, extremely emotional tune is sung.

オペラ (opera) means 'opera'.

5

交渉が難航する中、彼は相手の出方を探るような、探り探りの調子で話を進めた。

Negotiations difficult progress while, he opponent's move probe like, tentative tune with talks advanced.

交渉 (kōshō) means 'negotiation'.

6

その作家は、社会風刺を込めた独特のユーモアの調子で知られている。

That author, social satire included unique humor's tone with known.

社会風刺 (shakai fūshi) means 'social satire'.

7

彼の音楽は、クラシックの厳格さと現代的な感性の調和が際立っている。

His music, classical strictness and modern sensibility's harmony stands out.

感性 (kankei) means 'sensibility'.

8

長期間の不調を経て、チームはついに本来の調子を取り戻し、連勝を重ねている。

Long period bad condition through, team finally original condition regained, consecutive wins accumulating.

連勝 (renshō) means 'consecutive wins'.

1

その詩人の言葉遣いは、繊細な感情の綾を表現するために、極めて洗練された調子を帯びていた。

That poet's word usage, delicate emotion's nuances express for, extremely refined tone carried.

綾 (aya) means 'nuance/pattern'.

2

彼の芸術作品は、しばしば既存の美学に対する挑戦的な調子を内包している。

His artworks, often existing aesthetics towards challenging tone internally contain.

内包 (naihō) means 'to contain/include'.

3

その歴史家の叙述は、客観性を保ちつつも、時代の雰囲気を伝える独特の調子を持っている。

That historian's narrative, objectivity maintaining while, era's atmosphere convey unique tone has.

叙述 (jojutsu) means 'narrative/description'.

4

この哲学論文は、難解な概念を平易な言葉で説明しようと試みる、教育的な調子を特徴としている。

This philosophy paper, difficult concepts plain words explain try, educational tone characterizes.

難解な (nankai na) means 'difficult to understand'.

5

彼の指揮するオーケストラは、驚くほどの精度と感情的な深みを兼ね備えた、比類なき調子で演奏する。

His conducting orchestra, astonishing precision and emotional depth possess, unparalleled tune performs.

比類なき (hirui naki) means 'unparalleled'.

6

この文学批評は、作品の持つ多層的な意味合いを解き明かすために、緻密かつ洞察に富んだ調子で書かれている。

This literary criticism, work possesses multi-layered meanings unravel for, meticulous and insightful tune written.

文学批評 (bungaku hihyō) means 'literary criticism'.

7

現代社会における個人の疎外感をテーマにした彼の小説は、しばしばペシミスティックな調子を帯びる。

Modern society in individual alienation theme, his novels, often pessimistic tone carries.

疎外感 (sogaikan) means 'sense of alienation'.

8

その建築家は、伝統的な様式と革新的なデザインを融合させることで、独自の建築的調子を確立した。

That architect, traditional styles and innovative design fuse by, unique architectural tone established.

様式 (yōshiki) means 'style/form'.

Häufige Kollokationen

体調がいい (taichō ga ii)
調子に乗る (chōshi ni noru)
調子を崩す (chōshi o kuzusu)
調子はどう? (chōshi wa dō?)
良い調子 (yoi chōshi)
悪い調子 (warui chōshi)
音楽の調子 (ongaku no chōshi)
車の調子 (kuruma no chōshi)
調子を合わせる (chōshi o awaseru)
調子が出る (chōshi ga deru)

Idioms & Expressions

"調子に乗る (Chōshi ni noru)"

To get carried away, often by success or praise; to become overconfident.

彼は試合に勝ったことで調子に乗ってしまった。

casual

"調子を合わせる (Chōshi o awaseru)"

To match one's pace or rhythm with others; to cooperate or go along with.

会議では、みんなの意見に調子を合わせて進めた。

neutral

"調子が出る (Chōshi ga deru)"

To get into the groove; to find one's rhythm or momentum.

練習を重ねるうちに、だんだん調子が出てきた。

neutral

"調子を崩す (Chōshi o kuzusu)"

To fall ill; to lose one's condition or rhythm.

風邪をひいてしまい、体調を崩してしまった。

neutral

"調子っぱずれ (Chōshi-ppazure)"

Out of tune; out of sync; not fitting in.

彼の発言は場の雰囲気に調子っぱずれだった。

casual

"調子づく (Chōshi-zuku)"

To become lively or excited; to get into high spirits (similar to 調子に乗る but can be more positive).

お祭りの音楽で、みんな調子づいていた。

casual

Easily Confused

調子 vs 具合 (guai)

Both mean 'condition' or 'state'.

'調子' often implies a sense of rhythm, flow, or performance level (musical or operational), while '具合' is often more about the basic state, especially health or mechanical function. '調子' can be more dynamic.

体の<strong>調子</strong>がいい (My body's condition is good - implies feeling well/energetic). 体の<strong>具合</strong>が悪い (My body's condition is bad - implies feeling unwell/sick).

調子 vs 状態 (jōtai)

Both translate to 'state' or 'condition'.

'状態' is more formal, static, and objective. It describes the state of something without necessarily implying rhythm or performance. '調子' is more common in daily conversation and can imply a dynamic state or tune.

機械の<strong>状態</strong>を記録する (Record the machine's state - formal). 機械の<strong>調子</strong>がおかしい (The machine's condition is strange - informal, implies malfunction).

調子 vs 気分 (kibun)

Both can relate to how someone is feeling.

'気分' specifically refers to one's mood or emotional feeling. '調子' can encompass mood but also physical condition or general state. You ask about '気分' when focusing on emotions.

今日は<strong>気分</strong>がいい (I feel good today - emotional). 最近、<strong>調子</strong>がいい (Lately, I'm doing well - could be physical, mental, or general).

調子 vs 調律 (chōritsu)

Both relate to 'tuning' and sound.

'調律' specifically refers to the technical act of tuning a musical instrument to the correct pitch. '調子' refers to the resulting tune, key, or the general condition.

ピアノを<strong>調律</strong>する (To tune a piano). ピアノの<strong>調子</strong>がいい (The piano is in good condition/well-tuned).

Sentence Patterns

A1-A2

Noun + の + 調子 + particle + Adjective

この車の<strong>調子</strong><strong>は</strong>とてもいいです。

A1-A2

Noun + は + 調子 + が + Adjective

彼女<strong>は</strong><strong>調子</strong><strong>が</strong>いいです。

B1-B2

調子 + に + 乗る

彼はすぐに<strong>調子</strong><strong>に</strong>乗る。

B1-B2

調子 + particle + Verb

体調<strong>を</strong>崩しました。

A1-C2

調子 + particle + Question Word

最近、<strong>調子</strong><strong>は</strong>どうですか?

Wortfamilie

Nouns

調律 (chōritsu) Tuning (of instruments)
調和 (chōwa) Harmony, balance
音調 (onchō) Tone of voice, pitch

Verbs

調える (ととのえる - totonoeru) To adjust, to tune, to put in order

Verwandt

体調 (taichō) Compound noun meaning 'physical condition', directly related to 'chōshi'.
気分 (kibun) Related concept, meaning 'mood' or 'feeling'.

How to Use It

Formality Scale

調子はどうですか? (Chōshi wa dō desu ka?) - Polite/Formal 調子はどう? (Chōshi wa dō?) - Neutral/Casual 調子乗んなよ! (Chōshi nonna yo!) - Very Casual/Slang (Don't get cocky!)

Häufige Fehler

Using 'chōshi' for only one meaning. Understand context: '調子' can mean musical key OR general condition.
Learners might assume it only refers to music, or only to health, missing its broader applicability.
Treating '調子' like an English plural noun. Use context or rephrase for plurality (e.g., 'several conditions').
'調子' is a noun that typically doesn't take plural markers like English nouns.
Confusing '調子' (chōshi) with '調律' (chōritsu). '調子' is general tune/condition; '調律' is specific instrument tuning.
Both relate to 'tuning' but '調律' is technical and specific to instruments.
Overusing '調子' for emotions. Use '気分' (kibun) for mood/feeling when more specific.
While '調子' can imply mood, '気分' is the more direct and common word for emotional state.
Directly translating 'get carried away' without considering nuance. Use '調子に乗る' (chōshi ni noru) for overconfidence after success.
A literal translation might miss the specific nuance of becoming overly confident due to positive feedback or success.

Tips

💡

The 'Tune-Up' Trick

Think of '調子' (chōshi) like tuning up a car or a musical instrument. When it's 'in tune', everything works well (good condition). When it's 'out of tune', things aren't right (bad condition).

💡

Daily Check-in

Use '調子はどう?' (Chōshi wa dō?) daily with friends or family. It's a natural way to ask 'How are you doing?' and practice the word.

🌍

Harmony in Life

Japanese culture often values harmony and balance. '調子' reflects this by applying the concept of being 'in tune' to both music and the general state of things.

💡

Particle Power

Pay attention to the particles used with '調子'. 'が' often marks the subject (e.g., 調子<strong>が</strong>いい), while 'に' is used in idioms like '調子<strong>に</strong>乗る'.

💡

Smooth Flow

Practice saying 'chō-shi' smoothly, without a strong pause or stress between the syllables, to mimic the natural flow of the word.

💡

Don't Mix Up 'Guai' and 'Chōshi'

While both mean 'condition', '具合' (guai) is often more about health or how something is functioning at a basic level, whereas '調子' can imply a more dynamic state or rhythm.

💡

From Music to Machines

The word's journey from describing musical keys to the operational status of a computer shows how language adapts to new concepts while retaining its core meaning of 'arrangement' or 'state'.

💡

Contextual Clues

When you encounter '調子', look at the surrounding words. Are they about music? Health? Machines? This will quickly tell you which meaning is intended.

💡

Beyond 'Good' and 'Bad'

Don't just think 'good' or 'bad'. Consider 'normal' (普通 - futsū), 'strange' (おかしい - okashii), or 'improving' (良くなってきた - yoku natte kita) when describing '調子'.

💡

Idiom Association

Link the idioms like '調子に乗る' to a visual image – maybe someone riding a wave too high and falling off – to remember their meaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'CHO'colate bar that's perfectly 'SHI'ny and in great condition. Or, think of a 'CHO'ir singing in perfect 'SHI'mphony.

Visual Association

Picture a perfectly tuned piano (musical key) or a person giving a thumbs-up (good condition).

Word Web

Music Tune Key Condition State Mood Health Performance Harmony Rhythm

Herausforderung

Try using '調子' three times today: once for music, once for how you feel, and once for an object.

Wortherkunft

Chinese (漢字)

Original meaning: 調 (chō) - tone, key, melody; 子 (shi) - suffix indicating state or quality.

Kultureller Kontext

Generally neutral. Asking about someone's 'chōshi' is common and polite, especially '体調' (physical condition).

In English, we might use 'how are you doing?', 'what's up?', 'how's it going?' for general condition, and 'in tune' or 'on key' for music. The Japanese 'chōshi' bridges these.

Often heard in daily conversations, songs, and discussions about health and machines.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Health Check-in

  • 体調はどうですか? (Taichō wa dō desu ka?) - How is your physical condition?
  • 最近、調子がいいです。(Saikin, chōshi ga ii desu.) - I've been doing well lately.
  • 調子を崩しました。(Chōshi o kuzushimashita.) - I fell ill / lost my good condition.

Talking about Music

  • この曲の調子が好きです。(Kono kyoku no chōshi ga suki desu.) - I like the tune of this song.
  • 楽器の調子を整える。(Gakki no chōshi o totonoeru.) - To adjust the condition of an instrument.
  • テンポの速い調子。(Tempo no hayai chōshi.) - A fast-paced tune.

Machines & Technology

  • パソコンの調子がおかしい。(Pasokon no chōshi ga okashii.) - My computer is acting strangely.
  • 車の調子を点検する。(Kuruma no chōshi o tenken suru.) - To inspect the car's condition.
  • エンジンの調子がいい。(Enjin no chōshi ga ii.) - The engine is running well.

Work & Performance

  • 仕事の調子はどう?(Shigoto no chōshi wa dō?) - How is work going?
  • 調子が出てきた。(Chōshi ga detekita.) - I'm getting into the groove.
  • 調子に乗って失敗した。(Chōshi ni notte shippai shita.) - Got carried away and failed.

Conversation Starters

"最近、何か新しい趣味の調子はどう?"

"この曲、調子はすごくいいんだけど、歌詞がちょっとね…"

"週末は何してた?体調は崩してなかった?"

"新しいガジェット買ったんだけど、調子はどうかな?使ってみて!"

"今日の会議、みんなの調子はどうだった?"

Journal Prompts

Describe your physical condition today using '調子'.

Write about a time you 'got carried away' (調子に乗った) and what happened.

Describe the 'tune' or 'mood' of your favorite song using '調子'.

How is the 'condition' of your current studies or work? Use '調子' in your description.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

8 Fragen

Yes, '調子' can refer to a person's general condition, including their physical state (体調 - taichō) and sometimes their mood or spirits. However, for specific emotions, '気分' (kibun) is often more precise.

Absolutely! It's very common to talk about the '調子' of machines, cars, computers, etc., to describe whether they are working well or not.

'状態' (jōtai) is a more general and formal term for 'state' or 'condition'. '調子' (chōshi) is often more dynamic, implying a sense of flow, rhythm, or how something is currently 'tuned' or performing, and is used more frequently in everyday conversation.

Context is key! If the surrounding words relate to music, instruments, or songs, it likely means 'tune' or 'key'. If it relates to health, feelings, work, or machines, it means 'condition' or 'state'.

Yes, it can be negative. '調子が悪い' (chōshi ga warui) means 'condition is bad', and '調子を崩す' (chōshi o kuzusu) means to fall ill or lose one's good condition.

Yes, in some contexts, especially related to music or performance, '調子' can overlap with the meaning of 'rhythm' or 'groove'. The phrase '調子が出る' (chōshi ga deru) means to get into the groove.

'体調' (taichō) is a specific compound word using '調子' and means 'physical condition' or 'state of health'.

The idiom '調子に乗る' (chōshi ni noru) can have negative connotations if someone gets overly arrogant or reckless due to success. Using it inappropriately might imply someone is being boastful.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank A1

今日の私の ______ はとてもいいです。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 調子

The sentence means 'My ______ today is very good.' '調子' (condition) fits best for how someone feels.

multiple choice A2

Which word means 'musical key' or 'tune'?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 調子 (chōshi)

'調子' is used for musical keys and tunes, as well as general condition.

true false B1

'調子' can only be used to talk about music.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

False. '調子' is also commonly used to describe health, mood, and the condition of objects.

match pairs B1

Word

Bedeutung

All matched!

These show how '調子' combines with other words to specify what is being described.

sentence order B2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

The correct sentence is '彼は調子に乗って失敗してしまった。' (Kare wa chōshi ni notte shippai shite shimatta.) - He got carried away and failed.

fill blank A2

このコンピューターの ______ がおかしいです。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 調子

The sentence means 'The ______ of this computer is strange.' '調子' (condition) is used for machines not working properly.

multiple choice B1

What does '調子に乗る' mean?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: To get carried away by success

'調子に乗る' means to get overconfident or carried away, especially after a success.

true false C1

The word '調子' can be used to describe the flow or progress of a negotiation.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Richtig

Yes, '調子' can metaphorically describe the state or progress of abstract situations like negotiations.

fill blank B1

長引く ______ で、彼は元気がありません。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 調子

The sentence implies a prolonged negative state affecting his energy. '調子' (condition) fits well here, especially in the context of health or well-being.

match pairs B2

Word

Bedeutung

All matched!

These are common idiomatic uses of '調子' related to rhythm and harmony.

Ergebnis: /10

War das hilfreich?
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!