塤 (xūn) - Xun — an ancient Chinese ocarina or globular

塤Tone 1

xūn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

塤 · xūn

Xun — an ancient Chinese ocarina or globular flute, typically made of clay or ceramic, with a distinctive, haunting sound used in traditional and ritual music.

Xun — an ancient Chinese ocarina or globular

Usage highlights

Play the xunPottery xunXun melodyAncient xunXun and chiXun music

Synonyms

  • 壎— Alternative form of 塤

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He plays the xun (吹塤).
  • This xun is made of pottery (陶塤).
  • The sound of the xun is very ancient and melancholic (塤的聲音).
  • We learned about ancient Chinese musical instruments like the xun (古樂器塤).

Collocations

  • Play the xun(吹塤)
  • Pottery xun(陶塤)
  • Xun melody(塤曲)
  • Ancient xun(古塤)
  • Xun and chi(塤篪)
  • Xun music(塤樂)

Idioms

  • Harmony like xun and chi(塤篪相和)
  • Echoing each other like xun and chi(如塤如篪)
  • Xun sings and chi follows(塤唱篪和)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the oldest Chinese instruments, with artifacts dating back over 7,000 years to the Neolithic period.
  • Traditionally associated with ritual ceremonies and court music, often played in ensembles with the chi (a bamboo flute).
  • The xun's earthy, mellow tone is considered to embody the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetic values — subtle, profound, and introspective.
  • Frequently used in modern times to evoke a sense of antiquity and cultural depth in music and media.

FAQ