diào, tiáo
adjust, tune
Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 周 represents the sound.
Evolution
Seal script
Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical script
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical script
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)Regular script
ModernDefinitions
diào
transfer, move, change; tune; to transfer; to move (troops or cadres); to investigate; to enquire into; accent; view; argument; key (in music); mode (music); tone; melody
tiáo
to harmonize; to reconcile; to blend; to suit well; to adjust; to regulate; to season (food); to provoke; to incite
Sources