琴

琹

qín

HSK 3.0 4

Rank #1701

Definitions

qín (noun) guqin (ancient Chinese zither); musical instrument

Etymology

The top component is a pictograph of a zither-like stringed musical instrument. 今 is a sound component.

About

The character '琴' derives from an early depiction of a stringed instrument, with its modern structure combining a symbolic element representing dual strings or structural features of the instrument with a phonetic component that cues pronunciation. Initially referring exclusively to the classical Chinese zither, the guqin, the term gradually extended its meaning to include other stringed instruments and, in modern language, functions as a semantic component in words denoting various musical instruments, illustrating a semantic broadening from a specific referent to a more general classification while retaining its core association with music through its etymological construction.

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢弹钢琴。

Wǒ xǐhuān tán gāngqín.

I like playing the piano.

他在学习拉小提琴。

Tā zài xuéxí lā xiǎo tí qín.

He is learning to play the violin.

钢琴的声音很优美。

Gāngqín de shēngyīn hěn yōuměi.

The piano's sound is very elegant.

明天我要去琴房练琴。

Míngtiān wǒ yào qù qínfáng liàn qín.

Tomorrow I will go to the music room to practice the instrument.

因为喜欢音乐，所以他买了钢琴。

Yīnwèi xǐhuān yīnyuè, suǒyǐ tā mǎile gāngqín.

Because he likes music, he bought a piano.

她不仅会弹钢琴，还会拉小提琴。

Tā bùjǐn huì tán gāngqín, hái huì lā xiǎo tí qín.

She not only can play the piano, but also can play the violin.

每当听到琴声，他就会想起童年的回忆。

Měi dāng tīng dào qín shēng, tā jiù huì xiǎng qǐ tóngnián de huíyì.

Whenever he hears the sound of the instrument, he recalls childhood memories.

为了提高钢琴水平，他每天坚持练习两小时。

Wèile tígāo gāngqín shuǐpíng, tā měitiān jiānchí liànxí liǎng xiǎoshí.

In order to improve his piano skills, he practices for two hours every day persistently.

Related Characters

Component: 今

Component: 玨

Components

今玨

琴