Definition
降调 is a noun with two distinct meanings. In linguistics and music, it refers to a falling tone or pitch (the opposite of a rising tone). In official or workplace contexts, it can refer to a demotion or reduction in rank (the act or fact of being transferred to a lower position). The second meaning is often encountered in formal or bureaucratic writing.
n.
(linguistics/music) falling tonefalling intonation(of rank or position) demotionreduction in rank
Examples
- 降调。Hànyǔ de dì sì shēng shì yí gè jiàng.The fourth tone in Chinese is a falling tone.
- 降调。Gōngsī xuānbù le tā de jiàng.The company announced his demotion.
- 降调，。Zuòqǔjiā zài jiéwěi chù shǐyòng le jiàng, ràng yuèqǔ gèng shānggǎn.The composer used a falling pitch at the end, making the piece sadder.
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