Usage note
语气是指说话时的态度和声音的高低快慢。
Yǔqì shì zhǐ shuōhuà shí de tàidù hé shēngyīn de gāodī kuàimàn.
Tone refers to the attitude and pitch or speed of voice when speaking.
Context note
用友好的语气说话，别人会更喜欢听。
Yòng yǒuhǎo de yǔqì shuōhuà, biérén huì gèng xǐhuān tīng.
Speaking with a friendly tone makes others like to listen more.
5 examples
她的语气很温柔。
tā de yǔ qì hěn wēn róu。
Her tone is very gentle.
不要用生气的语气说话。
bú yào yòng shēng qì de yǔ qì shuō huà。
Don't speak with an angry tone.
他的语气很开心。
tā de yǔ qì hěn kāi xīn。
His tone is very happy.
老师用鼓励的语气说话。
lǎo shī yòng gǔ lì de yǔ qì shuō huà。
The teacher speaks with an encouraging tone.
语气可以表达感情。
yǔ qì kě yǐ biǎo dá gǎn qíng。
Tone can express feelings.
5 mini stories
小华用快乐的语气唱歌。大家都鼓掌。
xiǎo huá yòng kuài lè de yǔ qì chàng gē。 dà jiā dōu gǔ zhǎng。
Xiao Hua sang with a happy tone. Everyone clapped.
妈妈用温柔的语气讲故事。宝宝睡着了。
mā ma yòng wēn róu de yǔ qì jiǎng gù shì。 bǎo bao shuì zháo le。
Mom told a story with a gentle tone. The baby fell asleep.
小明用礼貌的语气问路。叔叔帮他。
xiǎo míng yòng lǐ mào de yǔ qì wèn lù。 shū shu bāng tā。
Xiao Ming asked for directions with a polite tone. The uncle helped him.
老师用严肃的语气提醒我们。我们要听话。
lǎo shī yòng yán sù de yǔ qì tí xǐng wǒ men。 wǒ men yào tīng huà。
The teacher reminded us with a serious tone. We should listen.
朋友用关心的语气问我。我觉得很温暖。
péng yǒu yòng guān xīn de yǔ qì wèn wǒ。 wǒ jué de hěn wēn nuǎn。
My friend asked me with a caring tone. I felt very warm.
Mini dialogue
友好的语气
A
请用友好的语气说话。
Qǐng yòng yǒu hǎo de yǔ qì shuō huà.
Please speak in a friendly tone.
B
好的，我会注意语气。
Hǎo de, wǒ huì zhù yì yǔ qì.
Okay, I will pay attention to my tone.
语气很重要
A
你的语气听起来有点生气。
Nǐ de yǔ qì tīng qǐ lái yǒu diǎn shēng qì.
Your tone sounds a bit angry.
B
对不起，我换一个语气。
Duì bu qǐ, wǒ huàn yī gè yǔ qì.
Sorry, I'll change my tone.
Related words and contrasts
related
声调
shēng diào
tone (in speech)
声调 refers to the pitch pattern, while 语气 is the overall manner.
similar
口气
kǒu qì
tone of voice
口气 is often used for the attitude conveyed in speech.