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铙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
náocymbals, hand-bell; to disturbnr, 11 strokes, radical 钅, Very Hard
náobig cymbalsunknown, 11 strokes, radical 钅, Very Hard
náo(nao2) T2
  1. 1cymbals, hand-bell; to disturb
  2. 2big cymbals
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(鐃)náo(nao2)

The character 铙 (náo) refers to a type of percussion instrument, specifically cymbals or hand-bells used in traditional Chinese music. It conveys a sense of disturbance or noise, often associated with the sound these instruments produce during celebrations or performances.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, cymbals (铙) are often used in temple fairs and festivals to enhance the festive atmosphere, symbolizing joy and celebration. They play a crucial role in traditional performances, particularly in lion dances and other cultural displays.

Memory Tip

Imagine a pair of shiny cymbals clashing together, creating a loud 'náo' sound that echoes through the air. The radical 钅 (metal) signifies its metallic nature, while the character's form suggests the action of striking to create noise.

Meanings of 铙

náo(nao2)
1cymbals, hand-bell; to disturb
2big cymbals
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 铙

Simplified
Traditional
11Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 铙

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 铙

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a pair of shiny cymbals clashing together, creating a loud 'náo' sound that echoes through the air. The radical 钅 (metal) signifies its metallic nature, while the character's form suggests the action of striking to create noise.

Usage Notes

When using 铙 (náo), be mindful of its context; it's more commonly found in discussions about music or traditional ceremonies. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that denote different instruments or concepts. Remember, it has a more formal register when discussing traditional music.

HSK Study Tips

Although 铙 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to the HSK level 3 words related to music and sound. Students should focus on pronunciation and the context of musical discussions to integrate this word into their vocabulary effectively.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, cymbals (铙) are often used in temple fairs and festivals to enhance the festive atmosphere, symbolizing joy and celebration. They play a crucial role in traditional performances, particularly in lion dances and other cultural displays.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 铙 (náo) with similar characters like 鼻 (bí, meaning 'nose') due to their phonetic similarity. Remember, 铙 relates to sound and instruments, not body parts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 铙

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Etymology of 铙

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

bell

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 铙?

Decomposition of 铙

IDS Structure⿰钅尧
Full Character
=
jin1
left
Yao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 铙?

Write 铙

Practice writing 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 铙

铙 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 2 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 1

Complete the Sentence

一名临时顶替的鼓手使劲敲着一根响弦和一对____钹。

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

Example Sentences for 铙 (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 lín shí dǐng tì de gǔ shǒu shǐ jìn qiāo zháo yī gēn xiǎng xián hé yī duì náo bó。

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

Cultural Notes for 铙

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, cymbals (铙) are often used in temple fairs and festivals to enhance the festive atmosphere, symbolizing joy and celebration. They play a crucial role in traditional performances, particularly in lion dances and other cultural displays.

Word Family of 铙

Words Containing This Character1
náobig cymbals
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 铙 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 铙

铙 is typically used when discussing traditional Chinese music, especially in relation to orchestras or performances.