定调 (dìng diào) — to set the tone (figuratively, for a discussion…

Definition

Used figuratively for setting the direction or tone of a discussion, policy, or event. Often appears as 为/给…定调 with the topic as the object.

verb

to set the tone (figuratively, for a discussion, policy, or event)to set the key (in music)

，定调。
Huì yì yì kāi shǐ, zhǔ xí jiù wèi tǎo lùn dìng diào.
At the start of the meeting, the chair set the tone for the discussion.
定调。
Zhèng fǔ de xīn zhèng cè wèi jīng jì fā zhǎn dìng diào.
The government's new policy set the tone for economic development.
定调。
Yuè duì zhǐ huī xiān wéi qǔ zi dìng diào.
The conductor first set the key for the piece.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

定 means set and 调 means tone, so the word is to set the tone.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀mián

Sound part声符shēngfú

正

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

定 is built from 宀 and 正, with 正 supplying the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 調; 调 is its simplified writing.

言周調

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

周

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 調 pairs 言 (speech) with 周, which shows how it was pronounced. The simplified 调 is a later shorthand.