intonation
Definitions
The rise and fall of the voice in speaking; the pattern of pitch in a sentence
语调；说话时音高的升降
Accuracy of pitch in playing or singing music
（演奏、演唱的）音准
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (in, into) + ton (tone, pitch) + -ation (noun of process) = 'the putting of tone into speech.' Intonation is how pitch moves up and down as you talk — the melody of a sentence. Here in- means 'into/upon' (giving tone to), not the negative in-.
Root ton still carries 10 more wordsWhy It Means This
Intonation is pitch in motion. Say 'You're coming.' as a flat statement, then 'You're coming?' with the pitch jumping up at the end — same words, opposite meaning, all carried by intonation. It's how English signals questions, sarcasm, and emotion without changing a single word.
Common Collocations
- 1.rising intonation升调
- 2.falling intonation降调
- 3.flat intonation平板的语调
- 4.intonation pattern语调模式
Example Sentences
- 1.
Rising intonation at the end usually turns a statement into a question.
- 2.
Her flat intonation made it hard to tell if she was joking.
- 3.
Good intonation is as important as correct grammar in spoken English.
Easily Confused
intonation vs accent vs tone — accent is the overall way a region/speaker pronounces words; intonation is specifically the up-and-down melody of pitch across a sentence; tone (of voice) is the mood it conveys. You can keep your accent but improve your intonation.