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钹 (bó), traditional form 鈸, is a phono-semantic compound denoting a percussion instrument. The left-side radical 钅 (金 in traditional script) signals it is made of metal, while the right-side component 拔 (bá) supplies the pronunciation. The character refers to cymbals, paired metal plates clashed together to produce a sharp, ringing sound. Introduced to China from Central Asia or India, cymbals became an essential part of traditional Chinese orchestras, religious ceremonial music, and regional operatic and theatrical performances.
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