琴

• Pinyin: qín
• Hanzi breakdown: 琴 = 珏 (two jade pieces) + 今 (now), pictograph of stringed instrument

Meaning

A stringed musical instrument; piano; qin. General term for string and keyboard instruments.

Types include: 钢琴 (piano), 古琴 (guqin, ancient Chinese zither), 小提琴 (violin), 吉他 (guitar, though technically different). 琴棋书画 refers to the four traditional arts.

Examples

1. 她从小就开始学钢琴。 She started learning piano when she was young.
2. 古琴是中国最古老的乐器之一。 The guqin is one of the oldest musical instruments in China.
3. 他弹琴的时候整个人都陶醉了。 When he plays, he becomes completely absorbed.

Usage Guide

Context: music, art, culture

Tone: artistic

Do Say

• 你会弹琴吗？(Can you play piano?)
• 琴声很美。(The piano/qin music is beautiful.)

Don't Say

• 我买了一个琴。(Use 一架 for piano, 一把 for violin/guitar — not 一个)

Origin & History

Pictograph showing strings stretched over a frame. Originally referred to the guqin, an ancient Chinese zither.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal