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埙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
埙xūnocarinang, 10 strokes, radical 土
埙xūnwind instrument consisting of an egg-shaped chamber with holesunknown, 10 strokes, radical 土
xūn(xun1) T1
  1. 1ocarina
  2. 2wind instrument consisting of an egg-shaped chamber with holes
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March 24, 2026

埙(塤)xūn(xun1)

The character 埙 (xūn) refers to a traditional wind instrument, specifically an ocarina, which is typically made of clay or ceramic. It has an egg-shaped body with several finger holes that allow the player to create different musical notes. Often used in Chinese folk music, the xūn has a unique, mellow sound that distinguishes it from other instruments.

Strokes10Radical土
Cultural Note

The 埙 has deep roots in Chinese history, often associated with ancient rituals and ceremonies. It represents not only musical artistry but also a connection to China's rich cultural heritage, often featured in traditional storytelling and performances.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 埙 (xūn) as an 'egg' (the shape of the ocarina) sitting on 'earth' (土, the radical in the character). Picture an ocarina nestled in the ground, waiting for someone to play its soft, beautiful melodies. The pronunciation 'xūn' can remind you of the sound of music floating in the air.

Meanings of 埙

xūn(xun1)
1ocarina
2wind instrument consisting of an egg-shaped chamber with holes
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 埙

埙Simplified
塤Traditional
10Strokes
土Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 埙

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Podcast: 埙

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AI Study Notes for 埙

Usage Notes

When using 埙, it is important to note that it typically refers to the specific type of ocarina used in traditional Chinese music, rather than any wind instrument. Common collocations include phrases like '吹埙' (to play the ocarina) and '埙乐' (ocarina music). Be cautious with the tone; 'xūn' is pronounced with a high-level tone, which can be confused with other words.

HSK Study Tips

While 埙 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to the study of music-related terms in Chinese. Students at this level might focus on how musical instruments are described, enhancing their vocabulary with terms like 乐器 (musical instrument) and other related words. Understanding the cultural context around traditional instruments can enrich learning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 埙 with other wind instruments due to its specific cultural context. For instance, they may incorrectly refer to it as a 'flute' (笛子, dízi) instead of recognizing its unique identity as an ocarina.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 埙

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Etymology of 埙

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)土
+
Phonetic (sound)员
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 埙

  1. 1The meaning half土 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half员 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayearth
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 埙? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 埙?

Decomposition of 埙

IDS Structure⿰土员
埙Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
员yuan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 埙?

How to say ocarina in Chinese

“ocarina” in Chinese is埙xūn

The character 埙 (xūn) refers to a traditional wind instrument, specifically an ocarina, which is typically made of clay or ceramic. It has an egg-shaped body with several finger holes that allow the player to create different musical notes. Often used in Chinese folk music, the xūn has a unique, mellow sound that distinguishes it from other instruments.

When to use 埙

When using 埙, it is important to note that it typically refers to the specific type of ocarina used in traditional Chinese music, rather than any wind instrument. Common collocations include phrases like '吹埙' (to play the ocarina) and '埙乐' (ocarina music). Be cautious with the tone; 'xūn' is pronounced with a high-level tone, which can be confused with other words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 埙 with other wind instruments due to its specific cultural context. For instance, they may incorrectly refer to it as a 'flute' (笛子, dízi) instead of recognizing its unique identity as an ocarina.

Write 埙

埙

Practice writing 埙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 埙

Words Containing This Character1
埙xūnocarina塤
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 埙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 埙

The 埙 is primarily used as a musical instrument in traditional Chinese music, providing a unique sound that adds depth to folk songs.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 埙?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.