調ちょう

noun, noun, used as a suffix

musical key; mode

In Western music, refers to the key (e.g., ハ調 = C major). In gagaku, refers to the modal system (e.g., 平調, 盤渉調).

• この曲きょくはハ調ちょうで書かかれている。

  This piece is written in C major.

• 雅が楽がくでは、平ひょう調じょうや盤渉ばんしき調ちょうなどの調ちょうが使つかわれる。

  In gagaku, modes such as hyōjō and banshikichō are used.

noun, used as a suffix

time; tempo; rhythm

Suffix used in musical contexts to indicate time signature, tempo, or rhythmic feel (e.g., 二拍子調, 速い調).

• この曲きょくは四し拍子びょうし調ちょうで演えん奏そうされる。

  This piece is played in four-four time.

noun, used as a suffix

meter; metre

Suffix used in poetry to indicate metrical pattern (e.g., 五七調 for 5-7 syllable meter).

• 五ご七しち調ちょうは日に本ほんの伝でん統とう的てきな詩しの形けい式しきの一ひとつだ。

  The 5-7 meter is one of the traditional Japanese poetic forms.

noun, used as a suffix

style; form; mood; pattern

Suffix indicating a particular style, manner, or mood (e.g., 文章調, 古調, 現代調). Often used to describe the character or flavor of something.

• 彼かれの文ぶん章しょうは古こ調ちょうを帯おびている。

  His writing has an old-fashioned style.

• この部屋へやは和わ風ふう調ちょうのインテリアでまとめられている。

  This room is decorated in a Japanese-style interior.

noun

tax in kind

Historical term for a tax paid with local products under the ritsuryō system. Rarely used outside historical contexts.

• 律りつ令りょう制せいでは、調ちょうとして絹きぬや布ぬのが納おさめられた。

  Under the ritsuryō system, silk and cloth were paid as tax in kind.