钢琴

• Pinyin: gāng qín
• Hanzi breakdown: 钢 = steel; 琴 = stringed instrument

Meaning

Piano. The keyboard musical instrument.

A prestigious instrument in China, often associated with classical music education and cultural refinement. Piano lessons are popular among children from middle-class and affluent families.

Examples

1. 她从五岁就开始学钢琴了。 She started learning piano when she was five years old.
2. 客厅里摆着一架三角钢琴。 A grand piano sits in the living room.
3. 他弹钢琴的样子特别帅。 He looks really cool when he plays the piano.

Usage Guide

Context: music, education, hobbies

Tone: cultured

Do Say

• 你会弹钢琴吗？(Can you play the piano?)
• 钢琴曲很好听。(Piano music sounds beautiful.)

Don't Say

• 演奏钢琴 for casual playing (演奏 implies formal performance — for casual playing use 弹钢琴)

Origin & History

Compound of 钢 (steel) + 琴 (stringed instrument), referring to the steel strings inside the piano.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal