Both words mean condition. In what context do we use them? Is one for
expressing the condition of living things and the other one for the non-living
things?
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2019-09-24T10:48:31.347
72051
2019-09-25T01:42:47.290
2019-09-25T01:42:47.290
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question
meaning usage nouns
What is the difference between 調子【ちょうし】 (choushi) and 具合【ぐあい】 (guai)?
They are very similar, but I feel the threshold between よい調子 and 悪い調子 is
higher than that between よい具合 and 悪い具合.

  * 彼は調子が良い: He is at his best
  * 彼は調子が悪い: He is not in his best condition, if not ill
  * 彼は具合が悪い: He is sick
  * 機械の調子が悪い: The machine is working, but something is wrong
  * 機械の具合が悪い: The machine may be broken
  * 調子はどう?: How's it going? / How are you?
  * 具合はどう?: How is your health? / Are you feeling any better?

And there are several set phrases where you can use only one of the two, for
example:

  * 調子がいいことを言う: to sweet-talk; say nice things
  * 調子にのる: to push one's luck
  * その日は具合が悪い: I'm busy that day; It's not a good day for me
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2019-09-24T15:18:27.703
72060
2019-09-24T15:18:27.703
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answer