Definition
调调 has two distinct noun uses. The literal sense is a tune or melody. The colloquial sense refers to a person's characteristic style, manner, or approach—similar to 'vibe' or 'schtick' in English. This reduplicated noun often appears in phrases like 这个调调 ('this kind of style') and can carry a lightly dismissive or amused tone.
n.
tunemelody(colloquial) stylemannerapproachone's characteristic way of doing things
Examples
- 调调。Tā chàng de nà shǒu míngē diào hěn hǎotīng.That folk song he sang has a nice tune.
- 调调，。Wǒ bù xǐhuan tā nà gè diào, tài suíbiàn le.I don't like his style—it's too casual.
- 调调。Nǐ shuōhuà de zhè yí gè diào ràng rén bù shūfu.The way you speak makes people uncomfortable.
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