Readings: チョウ (Onyomi), しら, しらべ, ととの, ととのう (Kunyomi)
Meaning: investigate, tune, negotiate, prepare, adjust, arrange
The kanji 調 combines 言 (word, speech) and 周 (around, circumference). This combination suggests the idea of going around and collecting information with words, leading to meanings like “investigate,” “negotiate,” and “tune” (as in making things harmonious or in order).
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 調 has 15 strokes. It starts with the 言 (speech) radical on the left, followed by the 周 (circumference) component on the right. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 言 (ことばへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 15 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- チョウ (chou)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- しら・べる (shira・beru)
- しら・べ (shira・be)
- ととの・える (totono・eru)
- ととの・う (totono・u)
Common Words Using 調
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 調査 | ちょうさ | investigation, survey |
| 強調 | きょうちょう | emphasis, stress |
| 調節 | ちょうせつ | adjustment, regulation |
| 調味料 | ちょうみりょう | seasoning, condiment |
| 体調 | たいちょう | physical condition |
| 好調 | こうちょう | good condition, favorable |
| 順調 | じゅんちょう | smooth, satisfactory, favorable |
| 調理 | ちょうり | cooking, preparation of food |
| 調律 | ちょうりつ | tuning (of musical instruments) |
| 調整 | ちょうせい | adjustment, coordination |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 調べる | しらべる | to investigate, to examine |
| 調べ | しらべ | investigation, research, melody |
| 調べ物 | しらべもの | research material, something to investigate |
| 調う | ととのう | to be in order, to be prepared (less common usage for 調) |
| 調える | ととのえる | to arrange, to prepare (less common usage for 調) |
| 調べ出す | しらべだす | to find out, to ascertain |
| 調べ上げる | しらべあげる | to investigate thoroughly, to complete investigation |
| 調べてみる | しらべてみる | to try investigating |
| 調べ尽くす | しらべつくす | to investigate exhaustively |
| 調べ直す | しらべなおす | to re-examine, to reinvestigate |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 図書館で資料を調べた。
Kana: としょかんでしりょうを しらべた。
Romaji: Toshokan de shiryō o shirabeta.
English: I researched materials at the library.
Japanese: この曲の調は明るい。
Kana: このきょくの ちょうは あかるい。
Romaji: Kono kyoku no chō wa akarui.
English: The key of this song is bright.
Japanese: 彼の体調はもう大丈夫です。
Kana: かれの たいちょうは もう だいじょうぶです。
Romaji: Kare no taichō wa mō daijōbu desu.
English: His physical condition is already fine.
Japanese: テレビの音量を調節する。
Kana: テレビの おんりょうを ちょうせつする。
Romaji: Terebi no onryō o chōsetsu suru.
English: Adjust the TV volume.
Japanese: 市場調査を行う。
Kana: しじょうちょうさをおこなう。
Romaji: Shijō chōsa o okonau.
English: To conduct a market survey.
Japanese: 事業が順調に進んでいる。
Kana: じぎょうが じゅんちょうに すすんでいる。
Romaji: Jigyō ga junchō ni susunde iru.
English: The business is progressing smoothly.
Japanese: 母は毎日、美味しい料理を調理します。
Kana: ははは まいにち、おいしいりょうりを ちょうりします。
Romaji: Haha wa mainichi, oishii ryōri o chōri shimasu.
English: My mother cooks delicious meals every day.
Japanese: 彼の意見を強調する。
Kana: かれの いけんを きょうちょうする。
Romaji: Kare no iken o kyōchō suru.
English: To emphasize his opinion.
Japanese: ピアノの調律が必要だ。
Kana: ピアノの ちょうりつが ひつようだ。
Romaji: Piano no chōritsu ga hitsuyō da.
English: The piano needs tuning.
Japanese: 水道の水圧を調整した。
Kana: すいどうの すいあつを ちょうせいした。
Romaji: Suidō no suiatsu o chōsei shita.
English: I adjusted the water pressure of the tap.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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