弦 (xián) - Bowstring & string of a musical instrument

弦Tone 2

xián ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 弓

万响

弦 · xián

Bowstring;

string of a musical instrument;

chord in mathematics;

hypotenuse in geometry;

crescent moon.

Bowstringstring of a musical instrumentchord in mathematics

Usage highlights

BowstringString instrumentViolin stringChordHypotenuseCrescent moon

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 箭— arrow (what the string propels)
  • 股— thigh/leg (in geometry, the other sides of a right triangle)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He plays the violin (小提琴).
  • The bowstring is taut (弓弦 taut).
  • Calculate the hypotenuse (弦 hypotenuse).
  • A crescent moon hangs in the sky (弦月 crescent moon).

Collocations

  • Bowstring(弓弦)
  • String instrument(弦乐器)
  • Violin string(琴弦)
  • Chord(和弦)
  • Hypotenuse(弦 hypotenuse)
  • Crescent moon(弦月)

Idioms

  • Strike a chord in one's heart(动人心弦)
  • Like a stringed arrow(如箭在弦)
  • The string of a bow cannot be always bent(弓弦不能老绷着)
  • Change the tune and adjust the strings(改弦更张)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to the string of a bow, later extended to musical strings and mathematical terms.
  • In music, represents the vibrating element that produces sound in many traditional Chinese instruments.
  • In mathematics, used for chord (geometry) and hypotenuse (right triangles).
  • Symbolically represents tension, connection, and emotional resonance in Chinese culture.

FAQ