How to say "modulation" in Japanese

• 抑揚よくようCommon
  nounModulation of the voice: expressive variation in pitch and tone when speaking or reading aloud. It also covers intonation and inflection, and being a common word it is the default choice for this vocal sense.
  彼かれの話し方はなしかたには抑揚よくようが欠かけている。↗

  Intonation is absent in his way of speaking.
• メリハリ
  nounAlso about the voice, but with an eye to contrast: varying delivery so that emphasis and shading are distinct and the speech sounds lively. Less common than 抑揚 and usually written in kana alone.
• 転調てんちょう
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe musical sense: a modulation, that is, a change of key, within a piece of music. This is the word for 'modulation' in music theory and in talk of songs shifting key.
• モジュレーション
  nounThe loanword, used chiefly in technical fields: modulation of a signal, wave, or carrier in telecommunications, electronics, and related areas. Not the word for vocal expression or musical key changes.

Use 抑揚 for expressive variation in the voice, 「メリハリ」 for vocal contrast that makes delivery vivid, 転調 for a change of key in music, and 「モジュレーション」 for the technical modulation of signals.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 抑揚よくようintonation
• めりはりmodulation (of voice)
• 転調てんちょうmodulation
• モジュレーションmodulation
• 変調へんちょうmodulation
• 上げ下げあげさげrising and falling (pitch, tone, etc.)