Mandarin TempleMandarin TempleCome for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
曲子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
曲子qǔzipoem for singingHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, rank #4600, Hard
曲子qǔzituneHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, rank #4600, Hard
曲子qǔzimusicHSK 6, n, 9 strokes, rank #4600, Hard
qǔzi(qu3zi5)qu zi T3
  1. 1poem for singing
  2. 2tune
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

曲子qǔzi(qu3zi5)

曲子 (qǔzi) refers to a piece of music or a tune, often associated with songs or melodies. It can also imply a specific form of musical composition, such as a poem meant for singing. In artistic contexts, it highlights the emotional expression conveyed through music.

Strokes9Frequency#4600DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 曲子 is often associated with traditional music forms, such as operas and folk songs, which play significant roles in celebrations and ceremonies. It reflects the rich heritage of music as an integral part of storytelling.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'curvy' (曲) path leading to a 'musical' (子) garden where every note dances. The character 曲 resembles a winding road, and 'zi' can remind you of a playful child enjoying the melodies in the garden, helping you connect the shape to the sound.

Meanings of 曲子

qǔzi(qu3zi5)
1poem for singing
2tune
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 曲子 means.

About 曲子

曲子Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4600Frequency Rank
支Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 曲子

JasonAmy

Podcast: 曲子

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 曲子

Quick Contrast

歌曲 (gēqǔ) vs 曲调 (qǔdiào) — use 曲子 for a general piece of music or tune, while 歌曲 specifically refers to songs with lyrics, and 曲调 emphasizes the melody or tune itself.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 曲 (qǔ) must be pronounced with a falling tone, while 子 (zi) is pronounced with a neutral tone. Common collocations include 曲子 + 的 (de) to form adjectives, such as 'beautiful tune' (美丽的曲子). Avoid mixing it with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 曲子 connects with other musical vocabulary and artistic expressions learned at earlier levels. Focus on understanding the different contexts in which it can be used, especially in relation to emotions and cultural events.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 曲子 with similar words like 歌 (gē), which means 'song' and is more specific. For example, saying '我喜欢这首歌子' is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这首曲子'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 曲子

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 曲子 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 曲子 to You

Let me explain 曲子 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 曲子 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 曲子?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 曲子 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

曲qǔbent
HSK 66 strokes曰
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
View full entry

How to say poem for singing in Chinese

“poem for singing” in Chinese is曲子qǔzi

曲子 (qǔzi) refers to a piece of music or a tune, often associated with songs or melodies. It can also imply a specific form of musical composition, such as a poem meant for singing. In artistic contexts, it highlights the emotional expression conveyed through music.

When to use 曲子

Be cautious with the tone; 曲 (qǔ) must be pronounced with a falling tone, while 子 (zi) is pronounced with a neutral tone. Common collocations include 曲子 + 的 (de) to form adjectives, such as 'beautiful tune' (美丽的曲子). Avoid mixing it with similar-sounding words.

曲子 or something close to it

歌曲 (gēqǔ) vs 曲调 (qǔdiào) — use 曲子 for a general piece of music or tune, while 歌曲 specifically refers to songs with lyrics, and 曲调 emphasizes the melody or tune itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 曲子 with similar words like 歌 (gē), which means 'song' and is more specific. For example, saying '我喜欢这首歌子' is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢这首曲子'.

Write 曲子

曲
子

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 曲子

曲子 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

演奏钢琴的戴夫将这支____反复弹了两三遍。

Dave, the pianist, played it over a couple of times.

Example Sentences for 曲子 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
演奏钢琴的戴夫将这支曲子反复弹了两三遍。

yǎn zòu gāng qín de dài fū jiāng zhè zhī qū zǐ fǎn fù dàn le liǎng sān biàn。

Dave, the pianist, played it over a couple of times.
2
他写了一组非常单调枯燥的曲子。

tā xiě le yī zǔ fēi cháng dān tiáo kū zào de qū zǐ。

He has written a batch of very samey tunes.
3
这首曲子有，嗯，大约半个小时那么长，对吗？

zhè shǒu qū zǐ yǒu， ，， ňg ， dà yuē bàn gè xiǎo shí nà， mó cháng？

This piece is, what, about a half an hour long?
4
反复演奏这首曲子直到你演奏好为止.

fǎn fù yǎn zòu zhè shǒu qū zǐ zhí dào nǐ yǎn zòu hǎo wéi zhǐ.

Play the piece over and over until you do it right.
5
他用笛子吹奏一首老曲子.

tā yòng dí zǐ chuī zòu yī shǒu lǎo qū zǐ.

He was playing an old tune on his flute.
6
每写完一首曲子, 这位作曲家就接着写另一首.

měi xiě wán yī shǒu qū zǐ, , zhè wèi zuò qū jiā jiù jiē zháo xiě lìng yī.

As soon as a melody is finished with, the composer writes another.
7
他写了一段曲子, 并在钢琴上弹给我们听.

tā xiě le yī duàn qū zǐ, , bìng zài gāng qín shàng dàn gěi wǒ mén.

He'd written a tune, and played it to us on the piano.
8
所有的曲子都已经从原始录音带转录到了数码母带上。

suǒ yǒu de qū zǐ dū yǐ jīng cóng yuán shǐ lù yīn dài zhuǎn lù dào le shù mǎ mǔ dài shàng。

All the tracks have been digitally remastered from the original tapes.
9
他演奏了一首自己创作的曲子.

tā yǎn zòu le yī shǒu zì jǐ chuàng zuò de qū zǐ.

He played a piece of music of his own composition.
10
再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望.

zài cì tīng dào nà shǒu qū zǐ shǐ tā xiōng zhōng chōng mǎn le kě wàng.

Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 曲子?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 曲子

曲子 is a more general term for a piece of music or tune, while 歌曲 specifically refers to songs with lyrics.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 曲子?

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.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab