Translation guide
The word 'tenor' can refer to a male singing voice, a general meaning or tone, or the course of thought in a document. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
The highest natural adult male singing voice, or a singer with this voice.
The standard loanword for the tenor voice or a tenor singer, widely used in music contexts.
The general character, mood, or drift of something said or written.
Refers to the main point or gist of a statement or document. Common in formal contexts.
The general direction or thread of an argument or narrative.
Both are read しゅし and often interchangeable, but 趣旨 emphasizes the intended meaning or spirit, while 主旨 focuses on the main point or gist. In many cases, either is fine.
The loanword テノール only refers to the singing voice or a singer. For the meaning 'general tone or drift', use words like 趣旨 or 調子.
彼はオペラでテノールを歌っています。
He sings tenor in the opera.
Alternative loanword, often used in jazz or pop contexts, or for instruments like tenor sax.
彼はジャズバンドでテナーサックスを吹いています。
He plays tenor sax in a jazz band.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'high male voice', used when explaining the concept rather than as a standard term.
テノールは男声の高音パートです。
Tenor is the high male voice part.
彼のスピーチの趣旨は平和の重要性でした。
The tenor of his speech was the importance of peace.
Similar to 趣旨, often used interchangeably, but can emphasize the main idea or purport.
会議の主旨をまとめてください。
Please summarize the tenor of the meeting.
Means 'tone' or 'mood', often used for the emotional quality of speech or writing.
手紙の調子はとても友好的だった。
The tenor of the letter was very friendly.
Specifically refers to tone of voice or manner of speaking.
彼の口調から怒りが感じられた。
The tenor of his voice conveyed anger.
Means 'flow', commonly used for the progression of a conversation, story, or argument.
議論の流れを変えないでください。
Please don't change the tenor of the discussion.
Refers to logical thread or line of reasoning, often in formal contexts.
彼の論文の筋道は明確だ。
The tenor of his thesis is clear.
Means 'context', but can be used to refer to the overall tenor or thread of a text.
この文脈では、その言葉は違う意味を持つ。
In this tenor, the word has a different meaning.