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March 24, 2026
摇滚(搖滾)yáogǔn(yao2gun3)
摇滚 (yáogǔn) refers to rock 'n' roll music, a genre characterized by a strong beat and simple melodies, often associated with youth culture and rebellion. It can also mean to shake or rock, conveying a sense of movement or instability. This term is commonly used in music discussions and cultural contexts.
Strokes26Frequency#2213DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
摇滚 music has played a significant role in Chinese youth culture since the 1980s, often symbolizing freedom and the desire for change. Notable Chinese rock bands like Cui Jian helped shape this cultural movement.
Memory Tip
Imagine a rock (石头) that shakes (摇) to the rhythm of a lively concert, where people are dancing and enjoying the music. The '摇' (shake) and '滚' (roll) images can help you remember that 摇滚 represents both the action of rocking and the style of rock music.
Meanings of 摇滚
yáogǔn(yao2gun3)
1rock 'n' roll (music)
2to rock
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About 摇滚
摇滚Simplified
搖滾Traditional
26Strokes
—Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#2213Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 摇滚
Podcast: 摇滚
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AI Study Notes for 摇滚
Quick Contrast
摇滚 (rock) vs 摇晃 (shake) — use 摇滚 when referring specifically to the music genre, while 摇晃 emphasizes the action of shaking.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include mispronouncing the tones; ensure '摇' is pronounced with a rising tone and '滚' with a falling tone. This term is used informally, especially among younger people when discussing music genres. It often collocates with terms like '音乐' (music) or '乐队' (band).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 摇滚 connects well with other music-related vocabulary, such as '音乐' (music) and '演出' (performance). Students should focus on its use in cultural contexts and practice pronunciation to master the tones.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 摇滚 with similar-sounding words or mispronounce the tones, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying 'yao1 gun3' (摇滚) instead of 'yao2 gun3' is a common error that changes the meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 摇滚
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Knowing 摇滚 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
摇滚 (yáogǔn) refers to rock 'n' roll music, a genre characterized by a strong beat and simple melodies, often associated with youth culture and rebellion. It can also mean to shake or rock, conveying a sense of movement or instability. This term is commonly used in music discussions and cultural contexts.
When to use 摇滚
Common mistakes include mispronouncing the tones; ensure '摇' is pronounced with a rising tone and '滚' with a falling tone. This term is used informally, especially among younger people when discussing music genres. It often collocates with terms like '音乐' (music) or '乐队' (band).
摇滚 or something close to it
摇滚 (rock) vs 摇晃 (shake) — use 摇滚 when referring specifically to the music genre, while 摇晃 emphasizes the action of shaking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 摇滚 with similar-sounding words or mispronounce the tones, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying 'yao1 gun3' (摇滚) instead of 'yao2 gun3' is a common error that changes the meaning.
Write 摇滚
摇
滚
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Grammar Patterns of 摇滚
摇滚 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
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Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
制作____唱片并不要求你非得绝顶聪明。
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make a rock record.
The record was the brainchild of rock star Bob Geldof.
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Frequently Asked Questions about 摇滚
摇滚 specifically refers to rock music, which is distinct from genres like 流行 (pop) or 古典 (classical). Each genre has unique characteristics and cultural implications.
Generally, 摇滚 is used in informal settings, especially among younger audiences, so it may not be suitable for formal discussions about music.
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