旋律

• Pinyin: xuán lǜ
• Hanzi breakdown: 旋 = 方 (direction/square) + 疋 (foot movement) — spinning/revolving; 律 = 彳(step radical) + 聿 (writing brush — rules and measures)

Meaning

Melody; tune. The sequence of musical notes forming the main line of a piece of music; also used metaphorically for a pleasing flow or rhythm in speech or poetry.

Central term in music theory and everyday music discussion. Used metaphorically as well: 生活的旋律 (the melody of life). Has poetic connotations in literary language.

Examples

1. 这首曲子的旋律优美动听，让人一听便难以忘怀，成为作曲家最广为人知的代表作品。 The melody of this piece is beautiful and captivating, unforgettable after just one listen, and it has become the composer’s most well-known signature work.
2. 她随口哼出的旋律竟与那首经典老歌如此相似，令在场的音乐人都感到惊讶不已。 The melody she hummed offhandedly sounded so much like that classic old song that all the musicians present were astonished.
3. 诗人将自然的声音转化为文字，使整首诗呈现出一种宛如音乐般流动的旋律感。 The poet turned the sounds of nature into words, giving the whole poem a sense of melody that flows like music.

Usage Guide

Context: music, arts, literature, culture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这部电影的主题旋律轻柔婉转，完美烘托出主角内心深处那份压抑已久的思乡之情。(The main theme melody of this film is soft and winding, perfectly evoking the protagonist's long-suppressed homesickness deep within.)
• 即兴演奏时，他信手拈来的旋律流畅自然，令现场观众无不折服，掌声经久不息。(During his improvisation, the melody he produced effortlessly was so flowing and natural that every audience member was deeply impressed, and the applause did not die down for a long time.)

Don't Say

• 这顿饭的旋律很好 — 旋律 belongs to auditory and musical contexts; for a pleasant and well-balanced meal use 搭配合理 or 口感丰富; 旋律 cannot describe food or non-auditory experiences

Origin & History

旋 (to revolve/wind around) + 律 (law/rhythm/tone)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal