琴 (qín) - A stringed musical instrument, especially referring to the & by extension, various musical instruments.

琴Tone 2

qín ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

琴 · qín

A stringed musical instrument, especially referring to the guqin (Chinese zither);

by extension, various musical instruments.

A stringed musical instrument, especially referring to theby extension, various musical instruments.

Usage highlights

GuqinPianoViolinHarmonicaOrganQin music

Synonyms

  • 瑟— Se (a larger zither-like instrument)
  • 筝— Zheng (Chinese plucked zither)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She plays the guqin (古琴).
  • The piano is called a Western piano (钢琴).
  • He is skilled at playing the violin (小提琴).
  • They performed a duet with a qin and a flute (琴箫合奏).

Collocations

  • Guqin(古琴)
  • Piano(钢琴)
  • Violin(小提琴)
  • Harmonica(口琴)
  • Organ(风琴)
  • Qin music(琴曲)

Idioms

  • Lute and zither are in harmony(琴瑟和谐)
  • To play the lute to a cow(对牛弹琴)
  • Burning zither and cooking crane(焚琴煮鹤)
  • Lute, chess, calligraphy, and painting(琴棋书画)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The guqin (古琴) is one of China's oldest stringed instruments and a symbol of scholarly refinement.
  • In traditional culture, 'qin' represents one of the 'Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar' (琴棋书画).
  • The instrument is closely associated with Confucian philosophy and literati culture.

FAQ