Meanings of 琵
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About 琵
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Podcast: 琵
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AI Study Notes for 琵
Imagine a pear (the shape of the pipa) with strings attached, and visualize someone playing it beautifully. The character 琵 has the water radical (水) on the left, hinting at the fluid, flowing sound of the music produced by this instrument.
When discussing traditional music, 琵 is often paired with 琵琶 (pípá) to specify the instrument. Be careful not to confuse it with other string instruments, as the nuances in pronunciation and context can lead to misunderstandings. The tone is second, so a common mistake is pronouncing it with a flat tone.
Although 琵 is not included in the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of Chinese music culture. It can be useful to learn related terms like 琵琶 (pípá) as you connect with HSK vocabulary related to music and instruments.
The pipa, represented by the character 琵, is a significant part of Chinese heritage, often featured in folklore, operas, and cultural festivals. Its unique sound and playing style reflect the intricate artistry of Chinese music traditions.
Learners often confuse 琵 with other instruments like 琴 (qín), which refers to a zither. It's important to remember that 琵 specifically denotes the pipa, so using it in the context of other string instruments can lead to errors.
Pronunciation of 琵
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Etymology of 琵
Phonosemantic compound. 玨 represents the meaning and 比 represents the sound.
guitar strings
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 琵?
Decomposition of 琵
Identify the Components
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Write 琵
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Practice writing 琵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 琵
琵 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.
Complete the Sentence
曲谱最早见于1819年的《华秋苹____琶谱》卷上.
The score first appeared in a collection of Pipa Scores of
Example Sentences for 琵 (1)
Cultural Notes for 琵
The pipa, represented by the character 琵, is a significant part of Chinese heritage, often featured in folklore, operas, and cultural festivals. Its unique sound and playing style reflect the intricate artistry of Chinese music traditions.
Word Family of 琵
Compound Meaning
What does 琵琶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 琵
琵 is the character for the instrument itself, while 琵琶 refers specifically to the pipa lute, which is a type of 琵.
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