筝

箏

zhēng

争 + 竹

Definitions

zhēng (noun) guzheng; Chinese zither

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 争 represents the sound. Simplified form of 箏.

Semantic: ⺮ Phonetic: 争

About

筝 is the simplified form of 箏, a phono-semantic compound that names a traditional Chinese plucked zither. The upper radical ⺮ (bamboo) reflects the material originally used for the instrument's body or components, while the lower element 争 (simplified from 爭) marks its pronunciation. The character also appears in the common word 风筝 (kite), because early kites were often fitted with vibrating strings or bamboo flutes that mimicked the zither's sound when blown by the wind.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她正在弹古筝。

Tā zhèngzài tán gǔzhēng.

She is playing the guzheng.

这把古筝很古老。

Zhè bǎ gǔzhēng hěn gǔlǎo.

This guzheng is very old.

我妹妹学习弹古筝。

Wǒ mèimei xuéxí tán gǔzhēng.

My younger sister learns to play the guzheng.

古筝的声音非常优美。

Gǔzhēng de shēngyīn fēicháng yōuměi.

The sound of the guzheng is very beautiful.

我们在音乐会上听古筝。

Wǒmen zài yīnyuèhuì shàng tīng gǔzhēng.

We listen to the guzheng at the concert.

如果天气好，她会在公园弹古筝。

Rúguǒ tiānqì hǎo, tā huì zài gōngyuán tán gǔzhēng.

If the weather is good, she will play the guzheng in the park.

古筝比钢琴更容易学习吗？

Gǔzhēng bǐ gāngqín gèng róngyì xuéxí ma?

Is the guzheng easier to learn than the piano?

尽管古筝历史悠久，但现代音乐中仍常见其身影。

Jǐnguǎn gǔzhēng lìshǐ yōujiǔ, dàn xiàndài yīnyuè zhōng réng chángjiàn qí shēnyǐng.

Although the guzheng has a long history, it is still common in modern music.

Related Characters

Component: 争

Component: 竹

筝