调
Character learning workspace

diào / tiáo · tune, melody, key

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 3.0 · Level 5Frequency #1481
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Learn every stroke in 调

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

调 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

diào

to transfer; to move (troops or cadres); to investigate

调查diào chá · investigation
tiáo

to harmonize; to reconcile; to blend

空调kōng tiáo · air conditioning
Step-by-step explorer

See how 调 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

10Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

讠Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 调 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 调

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

diàoto transfer; to move (troops or cadres); to investigate
tiáoto harmonize; to reconcile; to blend
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 调 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ xiǎng yào gè yǒu kōng tiáo de fáng jiān.我想要个有空调的房间。

I would like an air-conditioned room.

Source: Tatoeba #736531 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Méi yǒu diàochá jiù méi yǒu fā yán quán.没有调查就没有发言权。

No investigation, no right to speak.

Source: Tatoeba #13008982 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ xià tiān méi yǒu kōng tiáo huì sǐ.我夏天没有空调会死。

I can't survive without air conditioning in the summer.

Source: Tatoeba #8593087 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ xiǎng tè bié qiángdiào zhè yì diǎn.我想特别强调这一点。

I would like to place particular emphasis on this point.

Source: Tatoeba #2368479 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bù tiáo pí.我不调皮。

I am not mischievous.

Source: Tatoeba #6075515 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ yàn juàn le xiàn zài dāndiào de shēng huó.我厌倦了现在单调的生活。

I am tired of my monotonous life.

Source: Tatoeba #1941105 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 调 in context

  1. Say diào / tiáo, then recall the core meaning: tune, melody, key.
  2. Write all 10 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 空调 (kōng tiáo), meaning “air conditioning”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 调 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.