调子 (diào zi) — tune; melody; tone (of speech); intonation

Definition

Examples

• 这首歌的调子很好听。
  Zhè shǒu gē de diào zi hěn hǎo tīng.
  The melody of this song is very pleasant.
• 他说话的调子有点奇怪。
  Tā shuō huà de diào zi yǒu diǎn qí guài.
  The tone of his speech is a bit strange.
• 这个调子太高了，我唱不上去。
  Zhè ge diào zi tài gāo le, wǒ chàng bú shàng qù.
  This note is too high; I can't sing it.