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tono

TOH-nohˈtono

tone, pitch

Also: note
NounmA2
A single, large, colorful musical note, specifically an eighth note, floating in the air to represent sound.

📝 In Action

El piano necesita afinación, el tono está un poco bajo.

A2

The piano needs tuning, the tone is a little flat.

Su voz tiene un tono muy grave y resonante.

B1

His voice has a very deep and resonant pitch.

El tono de llamada de mi móvil es una melodía clásica.

A2

My cell phone ringtone is a classical melody.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cambiar de tono – to change pitch/to change the subject
  • subir el tono – to raise one's voice

tone, manner

Also: mood
NounmB1
A simple, round character face with a large, friendly smile and raised eyebrows, clearly indicating a positive and welcoming manner of expression.

📝 In Action

No me gusta el tono agresivo con el que me hablaste.

B1

I don't like the aggressive tone you spoke to me with.

El artículo tenía un tono muy formal y serio.

B2

The article had a very formal and serious tone.

Por favor, baja el tono; estamos en una biblioteca.

B1

Please lower your voice/calm your tone; we are in a library.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tono de voz – vocal tone/pitch
  • tono amistoso – friendly tone

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar fuera de tono – to be out of place or inappropriate

shade, hue

Also: tint
NounmB2
Three adjacent square blocks showing distinct, gradually deepening shades of the color green, ranging from light lime green to deep forest green.

📝 In Action

Me encantan los tonos azules y verdes oscuros.

B2

I love dark blue and green shades.

Ella se tiñó el pelo de un tono rojizo muy natural.

B2

She dyed her hair a very natural reddish hue.

El pintor usó tonos cálidos para representar el atardecer.

C1

The painter used warm tones to represent the sunset.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tono de piel – skin tone
  • tono pastel – pastel shade

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tono" in Spanish:

hue→manner→mood→note→pitch→shade→tint→tone→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tono

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'tono' to describe someone's attitude or manner of speaking?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tonal(tonal (related to tone)) — Adjective
entonar(to tune/to pitch/to sing in tune) — Verb
entonación(intonation (rise and fall of the voice)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The Spanish word 'tono' comes from the Latin word *tonus*, which itself originated from the Ancient Greek word *tónos*. The original meaning related to 'stretching' or 'tension,' particularly of a string. This tension gave rise to the concept of musical pitch, and later extended metaphorically to the tension or manner of speaking (attitude) and the intensity of color.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: toneFrench: tonItalian: tono

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tono' used for 'ringtone' in Spanish?

Yes, absolutely! 'Tono de llamada' is the standard way to say 'ringtone' for a cell phone or landline.

How is 'tono' different from 'voz'?

'Voz' means 'voice' (the physical sound produced). 'Tono' describes the *quality* or *attitude* of that voice, or the specific musical pitch it hits. Think of 'voz' as the instrument and 'tono' as the setting or note.