Japanese symbol for “tone”
調子
ちょうし
Romaji: choushi
tune; tone; key; pitch
In Japanese, tone is 調子, read ちょうし (choushi).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n tune; tone; key; pitch; time; rhythm
- n vein; mood; way; manner; style; knack
- n condition; state of health; shape
- n impetus; spur of the moment; strain
- n trend
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “tone”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 口調 | くちょう kuchou | tone (of voice); manner of talking |
| 色 | いろ iro | tone (of one's voice, etc.); tune; sound |
| 論調 | ろんちょう ronchou | tone (of argument); tenor; drift |
| 音 | ね ne | sound; tone; note |
| 含み | ふくみ fukumi | implication; hidden meaning; latitude |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 調査 | ちょうさ chousa | investigation; examination; inquiry |
| 調べ | しらべ shirabe | investigation; inspection; examination |
| 調整 | ちょうせい chousei | adjustment; regulation; coordination |
| 体調 | たいちょう taichou | physical condition; state of health; shape |
| 順調 | じゅんちょう junchou | favourable; favorable; doing well |
| 子供 | こども kodomo | child; children |
| 女子 | じょし joshi | woman; girl |
| 女の子 | おんなのこ onnanoko | girl; daughter; baby girl |
See also: Chinese symbol for “tone”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.