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钹 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钹bócymbalsn, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #37930, Very Hard
bó(bo2)bo T2
  1. 1cymbals
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March 24, 2026

钹(鈸)bó(bo2)

The character 钹 (bó) refers specifically to cymbals, which are percussion instruments made of brass or bronze that produce a loud, resonant sound when struck together. Commonly used in orchestras, marching bands, and traditional Chinese music, cymbals play a significant role in creating rhythm and enhancing musical performances.

Strokes10Radical钅Frequency#37930DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

Cymbals, or 钹, are integral to traditional Chinese orchestras, especially during festivals and celebrations, where their loud sound is believed to drive away evil spirits, adding a cultural layer to their musical function.

Memory tip

Imagine two shiny brass cymbals crashing together, creating a loud 'Bó' sound. The character 钹 resembles two curved shapes coming together, just like the cymbals, with the metal radical 钅 representing the metallic nature of the instrument.

Meanings of 钹

bó(bo2)
1cymbals
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 钹 means.

About 钹

钹Simplified
鈸Traditional
10Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钹

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Podcast: 钹

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AI study notes for 钹

Quick Contrast

钹 (cymbals) vs 鼓 (gǔ, drum) — choose 钹 when referring specifically to cymbals, not drums.

Usage Notes

This term is primarily used in musical contexts, so it’s often found in discussions about orchestras or traditional performances. A common mistake is confusing it with other percussion instruments; ensure you use 钹 specifically for cymbals. Remember, the tone is crucial; use the second tone (bó).

HSK Study Tips

While 钹 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects with musical terms present in HSK levels, such as 乐器 (yuèqì, 'musical instrument'). Focus on learning related terms for a better understanding of musical discussions in Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 钹 with other similar-sounding words. For example, using 钹 to mean 'drum' (鼓, gǔ) is incorrect; ensure you use 钹 exclusively for cymbals.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钹

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Etymology of 钹

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

bell

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)犮
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

钹 = 钅 + 犮. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 钹

IDS Structure⿰钅犮
钹Full character
=
钅jin1
left
犮ba2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 钹?

How to say cymbals in Chinese

“cymbals” in Chinese is钹bó

The character 钹 (bó) refers specifically to cymbals, which are percussion instruments made of brass or bronze that produce a loud, resonant sound when struck together. Commonly used in orchestras, marching bands, and traditional Chinese music, cymbals play a significant role in creating rhythm and enhancing musical performances.

When to use 钹

This term is primarily used in musical contexts, so it’s often found in discussions about orchestras or traditional performances. A common mistake is confusing it with other percussion instruments; ensure you use 钹 specifically for cymbals. Remember, the tone is crucial; use the second tone (bó).

钹 or something close to it

钹 (cymbals) vs 鼓 (gǔ, drum) — choose 钹 when referring specifically to cymbals, not drums.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 钹 with other similar-sounding words. For example, using 钹 to mean 'drum' (鼓, gǔ) is incorrect; ensure you use 钹 exclusively for cymbals.

Write 钹

钹

Practice writing 钹 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 钹

钹 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

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

一名临时顶替的鼓手使劲敲着一根响弦和一对铙____。

A stand-in drummer bashes on a single snare and a pair of cymbals.

Example sentences for 钹 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
一名临时顶替的鼓手使劲敲着一根响弦和一对铙钹。

yī míng línshí dǐng tì de gǔ shǒu shǐjìn qiāo zhe yī gēn xiǎng xián hé yī duì náo bó。

A stand-in drummer bashes on a single snare and a pair of cymbals.

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Word Family of 钹

Words containing this character1
钹bócymbals鈸

Frequently asked questions about 钹

The correct pronunciation is 'bó' with the second tone.

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