Meaning and Usage
"調子" (ちょうし) is a versatile noun commonly used to describe the condition or state of something, such as health, machines, or situations. It can also refer to the tune or tone in music or speech.
Common Contexts
- Physical or mental condition: "体の調子" (body condition) is often used to talk about health or how someone feels.
- Mechanical or technical state: "機械の調子" refers to how well a machine is working.
- Musical tuning: "ピアノの調子" means the tuning or pitch of a piano.
- Work or progress: "仕事の調子" can describe how smoothly work is going.
Collocations and Patterns
- 〜の調子がいい／悪い: to say something is in good or bad condition.
- 調子を直す／合わせる: to fix or adjust the condition or tuning.
- 調子に乗る: an idiomatic expression meaning to get carried away or overconfident.
Register and Nuance
"調子" is a neutral word used in everyday conversation and writing. It is polite and common in both casual and formal contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "調子" with "状態" (じょうたい), which also means condition or state. "調子" often implies a dynamic or functional state, especially related to performance or health, while "状態" is more static or descriptive.