Definition
调 (diào) as a verb means 'to transfer' (move personnel) or 'to investigate' (look into a matter). Unlike 过问 (guò wèn), which implies showing concern or meddling, 调 is more formal and official. As a noun it means 'tone/tune', distinct from 曲 (qǔ, a musical composition) and 口音 (kǒuyīn, regional accent).
verb
to transferto move (troops, cadres, personnel)to investigateto inquire into
noun
tonetunekey (in music)melody
Easily confused
- 调tiáolook-aliketo adjust, to tune (a device, instrument, etc.)
- 掉diàosound-aliketo fall; to drop
- 雕diāolook-aliketo carve, to engrave
- 吊diàosound-aliketo hang, to suspend
- 译yìlook-aliketo translate
- 叼diāosound-aliketo hold in one's mouth (as a cigarette, bone, or object)
Examples
- 调。Tā bèi diào dào Běijīng gōngzuò le.He was transferred to work in Beijing.
- 。Jǐngchá zhèngzài diào chá zhège ànzi.The police are investigating this case.
- 。Tā shuō huà de yǔ diào ràng wǒ juéde tā hěn shēngqì.The tone of his voice made me think he was angry.
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