イントネーション
Meanings
1
Refers to the rise and fall of the voice in speech, as in English. In Japanese linguistics, it is distinguished from アクセント (word accent).
Japanese intonation differs by region.
When asking a question, you raise your intonation.
Usage patterns
- 〈文〉のイントネーションが上がるthe intonation of a sentence rises
In questions, the intonation rises at the end of the sentence.
- イントネーションで意味が変わるthe meaning changes depending on intonation
Even the same word can change meaning depending on its intonation.
- イントネーションがおかしいthe intonation sounds unnatural or off
His Japanese is a bit hard to follow because his intonation sounds off.
- イントネーションに気をつけるto be careful about one's intonation
I pay attention to my intonation when giving a speech.