箫 (xiāo) - Xiao — a vertical end-blown bamboo flute used & also refers to similar wind instruments.

箫Tone 1

xiāo ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

箫 · xiāo

Xiao — a vertical end-blown bamboo flute used in Chinese classical music;

also refers to similar wind instruments.

Xiao — a vertical end-blown bamboo flute usedalso refers to similar wind instruments.

Usage highlights

Play the xiaoSound of the xiaoXiao and fluteBamboo xiaoXiao musicXiao melody

Synonyms

  • 笛— flute (general term for wind instruments)
  • 管— pipe (wind instrument)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He plays the xiao beautifully (吹箫).
  • The sound of the xiao is very soothing (箫声).
  • This is a traditional Chinese xiao (中国箫).
  • She is learning to play the xiao (学吹箫).

Collocations

  • Play the xiao(吹箫)
  • Sound of the xiao(箫声)
  • Xiao and flute(箫笛)
  • Bamboo xiao(竹箫)
  • Xiao music(箫乐)
  • Xiao melody(箫曲)

Idioms

  • Playing the xiao to attract the phoenix(吹箫引凤)
  • The xiao and the pipe(箫管齐鸣)
  • The sound of the xiao under the moon(月下箫声)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The xiao has a history of over 2,000 years in China and is associated with scholars and literati.
  • In Chinese mythology, the xiao is often connected to the phoenix and immortal beings.
  • The instrument is particularly associated with autumn and melancholy emotions in classical poetry.

FAQ