Definition
高调 (gāo diào) as an adjective means 'high-profile, ostentatious' — drawing attention to oneself through bold actions or statements. 阔绰 (kuò chuò) also describes ostentation but specifically in spending money extravagantly. As a noun, 高调 refers to high-sounding talk or bombast, as in the fixed phrase 唱高调 'to talk big'.
noun
high-sounding talkbombast
adjective
high-profileostentatious
Examples
- 高调，。Tā zǒng ài chàng gāo diào, què cóng bú duìxiàn.He always likes to talk big but never delivers.
- ，高调。Zhè wèi qǐyèjiā yíxiàng hěn dīdiào, zuìjìn què biàn de hěn gāo diào.This entrepreneur has always been low-key, but recently he's become very high-profile.
- 高调。gāo diào de zuòfēng wèibì néng yíngdé zhēnzhèng de zūnzhòng.A high-profile style may not win genuine respect.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.