Meanings of 琶
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About 琶
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Podcast: 琶
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AI Study Notes for 琶
琵琶 (pípá) vs 琶 (pá) — use 琵琶 for the specific pear-shaped lute, while 琶 refers to a broader category of string instruments.
When using 琶, be mindful that it is typically used in formal or artistic contexts related to music. A common mistake is to confuse it with other musical instruments or to use it in casual conversation, which may not convey the same cultural significance.
Although 琶 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other music-related words at the intermediate level, such as 乐器 (yuèqì - musical instrument) and 音乐 (yīnyuè - music). Students should focus on recognizing its use in traditional music contexts.
Learners often mispronounce 琶 as 'bā' instead of 'pá', which can lead to confusion with other characters. Additionally, some may incorrectly use it interchangeably with other string instruments like 吉他 (jítā - guitar).
Pronunciation of 琶
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Jason Explains 琶 to You
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Etymology of 琶
Phonosemantic compound. 玨 represents the meaning and 巴 represents the sound.
guitar strings
Origin
琶 = 玨 + 巴. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 琶
Parts
Which of these is part of 琶?
How to say a guitar-like instrument (2) in Chinese
“a guitar-like instrument (2)” in Chinese is琶
The character 琶 (pá) refers to a type of string instrument similar to a guitar, specifically linked to traditional Chinese music. It is often associated with the 琵琶 (pípá), which is a pear-shaped lute that has a rich history in Chinese culture and is commonly used in various musical performances.
When to use 琶
When using 琶, be mindful that it is typically used in formal or artistic contexts related to music. A common mistake is to confuse it with other musical instruments or to use it in casual conversation, which may not convey the same cultural significance.
琶 or something close to it
琵琶 (pípá) vs 琶 (pá) — use 琵琶 for the specific pear-shaped lute, while 琶 refers to a broader category of string instruments.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 琶 as 'bā' instead of 'pá', which can lead to confusion with other characters. Additionally, some may incorrectly use it interchangeably with other string instruments like 吉他 (jítā - guitar).
Write 琶
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Practice writing 琶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 琶
琶 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Fill the gap
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曲谱最早见于1819年的《华秋苹琵____谱》卷上.
The score first appeared in a collection of Pipa Scores of
Example Sentences for 琶 (1)
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Word Family of 琶
Words with 琶
What does 琵琶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 琶
琶 refers specifically to the guitar-like instrument, while 琵琶 is the more commonly known lute that has a distinct shape and playing style.
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