谱

• Pinyin: pǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 谱 = 讠(speech radical) + 普 (universal/general, phonetic)

Meaning

Score; record; to compose. As a noun: music score, genealogy chart. Colloquially: certainty or a plan in mind.

Used for 乐谱 (music score), 家谱 (family genealogy), and as a verb meaning to compose music. Informally, 心里有谱 means having a solid plan or confidence about something.

Examples

1. 他一边看乐谱，一边在钢琴上练习新曲。 He practiced a new piece on the piano while reading the sheet music.
2. 这件事我心里有谱，你不用担心。 I’ve got a plan in mind, so you don’t need to worry.
3. 老师帮学生谱写了一首充满感情的毕业歌。 The teacher helped the students compose a heartfelt graduation song.

Usage Guide

Context: music, education, colloquial

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他已经把这首歌谱出来了，明天可以排练。(He has already composed the music for this song and rehearsals can begin tomorrow.)
• 做事要心里有谱，不能盲目行动。(You need to have a clear plan in mind; don't act blindly.)

Don't Say

• 我没有谱什么计划 — use 没有把握 or 没有计划 for 'have no certainty/plan' in formal contexts; 有谱 is colloquial

Origin & History

谱 = 讠(speech/record) + 普 (universal) — a comprehensive record

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal