笛

dí

由 + 竹

Frequency#2561

Definitions

dí flute

Etymology

A bamboo ⺮ flute 由

About

The character "笛" consists of the bamboo radical (竹) atop the component "由", which historically served as a phonetic indicator. This structure directly denotes its original referent: a wind instrument constructed from bamboo. In early usage, "笛" was a broad term for various bamboo wind instruments, but over centuries its application narrowed more specifically to denote transverse flutes, particularly the Chinese dizi. The traditional form of the character is identical to its simplified counterpart.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他喜欢吹笛子。

Tā xǐhuān chuī dízi.

He likes playing the flute.

我在学习吹笛子。

Wǒ zài xuéxí chuī dízi.

I am learning to play the flute.

笛子的声音很好听。

Dízi de shēngyīn hěn hǎotīng.

The sound of the flute is very pleasant.

每天下午他练习吹笛子。

Měitiān xiàwǔ tā liànxí chuī dízi.

Every afternoon he practices playing the flute.

火车汽笛声响了。

Huǒchē qìdí shēng xiǎng le.

The train whistle sounded.

他用笛子演奏了一首民歌。

Tā yòng dízi yǎnzòu le yī shǒu míngē.

He played a folk song with the flute.

笛声在寂静的夜晚格外清晰。

Dí shēng zài jìjìng de yèwǎn géwài qīngxī.

The flute sound is especially clear in the quiet night.

那位音乐家以精湛的笛艺闻名。

Nà wèi yīnyuèjiā yǐ jīngzhàn de dí yì wénmíng.

That musician is famous for his exquisite flute skills.

Related Characters

Component: 由

Component: 竹

笛