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簫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
簫xiāobamboo flutex, 19 strokes, radical ⺮
xiāo(xiao1) T1
  1. 1bamboo flute
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

簫xiāo(xiao1)

簫 (xiāo) refers to a traditional bamboo flute used in Chinese music, known for its melodious and expressive sound. It is commonly used in folk music ensembles and classical performances, playing a significant role in cultural and artistic expressions throughout Chinese history.

Strokes19Radical⺮
Cultural Note

The 簫 is often featured in traditional Chinese festivals and ceremonies, symbolizing harmony and connection to nature. Its soothing melodies are integral to the ambiance of many cultural events, reflecting the values of tranquility and beauty in Chinese aesthetics.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'bamboo flute' shaped like a long, slender stick, where the '簫' looks like a tall, thin structure. The sound it produces is airy and sweet, which can help you remember the pronunciation 'xiāo' by associating it with the soft, flowing nature of the music it creates.

Meanings of 簫

xiāo(xiao1)
1bamboo flute
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 簫

簫Simplified
19Strokes
⺮Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 簫

JasonAmy

Podcast: 簫

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 簫

Quick Contrast

笛 (dí) — use 笑 when referring specifically to the bamboo flute, while 笛 is a more general term for any kind of flute.

Usage Notes

The word 簫 is typically used in musical contexts, and it may not be familiar to those outside of traditional music circles. Be mindful of the tone; 'xiāo' is pronounced with a high-level tone (first tone), so avoid confusing it with similarly spelled words with different tones.

HSK Study Tips

Although 簫 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your cultural knowledge and appreciation of Chinese music. Focus on the characters for musical instruments and their associated sounds at your current level to create a broader context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 簫 by confusing the tones, saying 'xiāo' with a rising tone instead of the correct high-level tone. Another mistake is using it in casual conversation; it's more appropriate in musical contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 簫

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Etymology of 簫

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

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 肃 represents the sound. Simplified form of 簫.

Memory Hint

bamboo

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 簫

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 肃 represents the sound. Simplified form of 簫.

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

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

Want the full history of 簫? 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 簫?

Decomposition of 簫

IDS Structure⿱⺮肅
簫Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
肅su4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 簫?

How to say bamboo flute in Chinese

“bamboo flute” in Chinese is簫xiāo

簫 (xiāo) refers to a traditional bamboo flute used in Chinese music, known for its melodious and expressive sound. It is commonly used in folk music ensembles and classical performances, playing a significant role in cultural and artistic expressions throughout Chinese history.

When to use 簫

The word 簫 is typically used in musical contexts, and it may not be familiar to those outside of traditional music circles. Be mindful of the tone; 'xiāo' is pronounced with a high-level tone (first tone), so avoid confusing it with similarly spelled words with different tones.

簫 or something close to it

笛 (dí) — use 笑 when referring specifically to the bamboo flute, while 笛 is a more general term for any kind of flute.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mispronounce 簫 by confusing the tones, saying 'xiāo' with a rising tone instead of the correct high-level tone. Another mistake is using it in casual conversation; it's more appropriate in musical contexts.

Write 簫

簫

Practice writing 簫 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 簫

Words Containing This Character4
箫xiāoxiao, a Chinese musical instrument of ancient times, similar to panpipes簫
排箫xiao, a Chinese musical instrument of ancient times, similar to panpipes排簫
吹箫to busk吹簫
吴市吹箫to beg while playing the xiao 箫 (mouth organ)吳市吹簫
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 箫 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 簫

The 簫 is primarily used in traditional Chinese folk music and classical performances.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 簫?

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.