Explore 調 in words for checking, surveys, condition and adjustment. Learn each reading with a whole word.

The idea

調 has 15 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 調べる is しらべる, while 調査, 調子 and 調整 begin with ちょう. 調べる takes the thing checked with を.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample
調べるしらべるI will look up the meaning of this word.
調査ちょうさWe conducted a survey about eating habits.
調子ちょうしI am not feeling well today.
調整ちょうせいPlease adjust the room temperature.

Examples

  • この言葉ことばの意味いみを調しらべます。I will look up the meaning of this word.
  • 警察けいさつが事故じこの原因げんいんを調しらべています。The police are investigating the cause of the accident.
  • 食生活しょくせいかつについて調査ちょうさをしました。We conducted a survey about eating habits.
  • 今日きょうは体からだの調子ちょうしが悪わるいです。I am not feeling well today.
  • 部屋へやの温度おんどを調整ちょうせいしてください。Please adjust the room temperature.
  • コンサートの前まえにギターを調律ちょうりつしました。I tuned the guitar before the concert.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not assume 調 always means investigate: 体の調子 is physical condition, and 調整 means adjustment. 調べる and 調査 share an idea but differ in reading and grammar.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 調べる in hiragana.

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    しらべる

    調べる is しらべる: この言葉の意味を調べます means “I will look up the meaning of this word.”

  2. Write the reading of 調査 in hiragana.

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    ちょうさ

    調査 is ちょうさ. 調査をする means to conduct a survey or investigation.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 体の＿子（ちょうし）［調／話］.

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    調

    調 completes 調子（ちょうし）. 体の調子 describes how one feels physically.

Use it today

Write 調 using the diagram, cover the table and read 調べる and 調査. Make a sentence about something you will check.