1The tune, tone, or rhythm perceived in music or speech; the pitch or mood of a piece of music or a voice.
この曲は、明るい調子で始まる。
This piece begins on a bright, upbeat tone.
話の調子が急に変わって、真剣な雰囲気になった。
The tone of the conversation suddenly shifted, and the mood turned serious.
歌手は曲の調子に合わせて、声の出し方を変えた。
The singer changed the way she used her voice to match the tune of the song.
2The characteristic manner, style, or knack seen in how something is done or how a person speaks and behaves.
彼女の説明は、いつも調子がわかりやすい。
Her way of explaining is always easy to follow.
料理の調子をつかんだら、あとは早いものだ。
Once you get the knack of cooking, the rest goes quickly.
彼の話す調子には、独特のユーモアがある。
There's a distinctive humor in the way he talks.
3The current condition or state of one's body or a machine; how well something is functioning or feeling.
今日はあまり調子が良くないので、早めに帰ります。
I'm not feeling too well today, so I'll head home early.
パソコンの調子が悪くて、作業がなかなか進まない。
My computer isn't working well, and I can't make much progress.
最近、彼の体の調子が戻ってきたようだ。
It seems his health has been recovering lately.
4Acting on the momentum or excitement of the moment; commonly used in phrases like 調子に乗る ("to get carried away").
彼は調子に乗って、余計なことまで言ってしまった。
He got carried away and said more than he should have.
その調子でいけば、プロジェクトは順調に進むだろう。
If we keep up this momentum, the project should go smoothly.
5The general trend or tendency of something, as used of the economy, performance, or similar shifting conditions.
最近の景気の調子を見ると、回復の傾向にあるようだ。
Looking at recent economic trends, it seems to be recovering.
売り上げの調子が良ければ、来年は店を増やしたい。
If sales keep trending well, we'd like to open more stores next year.