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铙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
铙náocymbals, hand-bell; to disturbnr, 11 strokes, radical 钅
铙náobig cymbalsunknown, 11 strokes, radical 钅
náo(nao2)nao T2
  1. 1cymbals, hand-bell; to disturb
  2. 2big cymbals
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March 24, 2026

铙(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.

Strokes11Radical钅
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

By ear

Play it, then pick what 铙 means.

About 铙

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

Podcast: 铙

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Podcast: 铙

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AI study notes for 铙

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.

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

Origin

铙 = 钅 + 尧. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 铙

IDS Structure⿰钅尧
铙Full character
=
钅jin1
left
尧Yao2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 铙?

How to say cymbals, hand-bell; to disturb in Chinese

“cymbals, hand-bell; to disturb” in Chinese is铙náo

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.

When to use 铙

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.

What learners get wrong

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.

Write 铙

铙

Practice writing 铙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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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

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____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 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 铙

Words containing this character1
铙náobig cymbals鐃

Frequently asked questions about 铙

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

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