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竽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
竽yúfree reed mouth organg, 9 strokes, radical ⺮
竽yúfree reed mouth organ, with wooden pipes stuck into a gourd (larger version of 笙[sheng1])unknown, 9 strokes, radical ⺮
yú(yu2) T2
  1. 1free reed mouth organ
  2. 2free reed mouth organ, with wooden pipes stuck into a gourd (larger version of 笙[sheng1])
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

竽yú(yu2)

The character 竽 (yú) refers to a traditional Chinese musical instrument known as the free reed mouth organ. It consists of wooden pipes inserted into a gourd and is played by blowing through the pipes to produce sound. This instrument is often associated with historical Chinese music and performances.

Strokes9Radical⺮
Cultural Note

The 竽 has historical significance in Chinese culture, often associated with ancient musical practices and royal courts. It reflects the rich tradition of Chinese instrumental music and the importance of music in cultural ceremonies and celebrations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large gourd (the base of the instrument) with wooden pipes sticking out, like a strange garden fountain. The sound it produces is 'yú', which sounds like 'you' enjoying music. Visualizing someone blowing into the pipes can help remember the character's shape and meaning.

Meanings of 竽

yú(yu2)
1free reed mouth organ
2free reed mouth organ, with wooden pipes stuck into a gourd (larger version of 笙[sheng1])
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 竽

竽Simplified
9Strokes
⺮Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 竽

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Podcast: 竽

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AI Study Notes for 竽

Usage Notes

When using 竽, it is important to ensure the context is musical, as it specifically refers to the instrument and not any reed-based music. Common collocations include phrases related to traditional Chinese music or instruments. Be cautious with the tones; mispronouncing the tone could lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

While 竽 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other musical terminology in Chinese. Students should focus on musical vocabulary and practice the pronunciation to ensure they distinguish it from similar sounding words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 竽 (yú) with 笙 (shēng), another traditional instrument. Remember that 竽 is specifically the free reed mouth organ, while 笙 has a different structure and sound. A common error is using the wrong tone; ensure to practice the correct rising tone for 竽.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 竽

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Etymology of 竽

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

flute

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 竽

  1. 1The meaning half⺮ carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half于 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayflute
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 竽? 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 竽?

Decomposition of 竽

IDS Structure⿱⺮于
竽Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
于Yu2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 竽?

How to say free reed mouth organ in Chinese

“free reed mouth organ” in Chinese is竽yú

The character 竽 (yú) refers to a traditional Chinese musical instrument known as the free reed mouth organ. It consists of wooden pipes inserted into a gourd and is played by blowing through the pipes to produce sound. This instrument is often associated with historical Chinese music and performances.

When to use 竽

When using 竽, it is important to ensure the context is musical, as it specifically refers to the instrument and not any reed-based music. Common collocations include phrases related to traditional Chinese music or instruments. Be cautious with the tones; mispronouncing the tone could lead to confusion with other words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 竽 (yú) with 笙 (shēng), another traditional instrument. Remember that 竽 is specifically the free reed mouth organ, while 笙 has a different structure and sound. A common error is using the wrong tone; ensure to practice the correct rising tone for 竽.

Write 竽

竽

Practice writing 竽 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 竽

Words Containing This Character3
滥竽充数token member of a group濫竽充數
竽yúfree reed wind instrument similar to the sheng 笙[shēng], used in ancient China
滥竽token member of a group濫竽
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 滥竽充数 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 竽

竽 is typically used in traditional Chinese music, often played in ensembles or during folk performances.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 竽?

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.