调

diào

HSK 5, 7

调 — diào

1. to transfer (a person, e.g. job posting)

   他被调到北京总部工作。 tā bèi diàodào běijīng zǒngbù gōngzuò — He was transferred to the Beijing headquarters.

2. to move (troops, cadres); redeploy

   军队在夜间调防了几个营。 jūnduì zài yèjiān diàofáng le jǐgè yíng — The troops redeployed several battalions during the night.

3. to investigate; to enquire into

   警方正在调查这起案件的所有细节。 jǐngfāng zhèngzài diàochá zhè qǐ ànjiàn de suǒyǒu xìjié — The police are investigating all the details of this case.

4. accent; manner of speaking; point of view, argument

   他说话有南方的调子。 tā shuōhuà yǒu nánfāng de diàozi — He speaks with a southern accent.

5. key/mode (in music); tune; melody; tone

   这首歌的调很容易记住。 zhè shǒugē de diào hěn róngyì jìzhù — The tune of this song is easy to remember.

调 — tiáo

1. to adjust; to regulate; to tune (so that something suits well)

   你把音量调小一点。 nǐ bǎ yīnliàng diào xiǎo yìdiǎn — Turn the volume down a bit.

2. to harmonize; to reconcile; to blend; to make compatible

   这道菜要把酸甜苦辣调和好。 zhè dàocài yào bǎ suāntiánkǔlà tiáohé hǎo — This dish needs its sweet, sour, bitter and spicy flavors balanced.

3. to season (food); to add seasoning

   汤还淡，记得调一点盐。 tāng hái dàn jìde diào yìdiǎn yán — The soup is still bland; remember to add some salt.

4. to provoke; to incite (to cause or stir up)

   别拿孩子开玩笑，容易把他们调起来闹事。 bié ná háizi kāiwánxiào róngyì bǎ tāmen diào qǐlái nàoshì — Don't joke with the children; you might provoke them into making trouble.