笙 (shēng) - Sheng — a Chinese free reed mouth organ & also used metaphorically for harmony and elegance.

笙Tone 1

shēng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

笙 · shēng

Sheng — a Chinese free reed mouth organ instrument made of bamboo pipes;

also used metaphorically for harmony and elegance.

Sheng — a Chinese free reed mouth organalso used metaphorically for harmony and elegance.

Usage highlights

Play the shengSheng and fluteSheng musicSheng pipeSheng ensembleSheng player

Synonyms

  • 管— wind instrument (general term)
  • 簧— reed (referring to the vibrating part)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He plays the sheng (笙) beautifully.
  • The sheng is one of the oldest Chinese instruments (古老乐器).
  • Their voices blend like a sheng ensemble (笙合奏).
  • Sheng music creates a harmonious atmosphere (和谐氛围).

Collocations

  • Play the sheng(吹笙)
  • Sheng and flute(笙箫)
  • Sheng music(笙乐)
  • Sheng pipe(笙管)
  • Sheng ensemble(笙合奏)
  • Sheng player(笙演奏者)

Idioms

  • Phoenix sings and sheng plays(凤歌鸾笙)
  • Sheng song and dance(笙歌鼎沸)
  • Sheng and flute together(笙箫管笛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The sheng is one of the oldest Chinese musical instruments, dating back over 3,000 years.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, the sheng symbolizes harmony and elegance due to its ability to produce multiple tones simultaneously.
  • The instrument is often associated with scholarly refinement and court music traditions.
  • The character 笙 appears in classical poetry and literature as a symbol of refined musical expression.

FAQ